A+E Networks and Hulu announced on Friday a new live TV affiliate agreement that will include all six original brands from the A+E Networks family to Hulu’s new live TV streaming service.
The agreement adds on-demand and live streaming access to popular cable networks A&E, History, Lifetime, LMN, Viceland and FYITM to Hulu’s core package of over 40 live channels, slated to launch in spring 2.
The A+E Networks family of channels includes popular series such as History’s Six and The Curse of Oak Island; A&E’s Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, Live PD and Born This Way; Lifetime’s Project Runway and UnReal; FYI’s Married at First Sight and Tiny House Nation; and Viceland’s Gaycation and Weediquette.
A+E Networks teams up a growing list of popular channels on Hulu from the CBS, Fox, Disney and Turner Networks also offered in the launch—who also recently launched agreements with the streaming service.
Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Logo, MTV or any other Viacom-owned networks, however, will not be a part of the Hulu live TV service. The VOD distribution agreement between the two companies expired last month.
According to Variety, Hulu had been seeking to include Viacom networks in the bundle, which was contingent on Viacom agreeing to a large subscription VOD deal. Viacom reportedly is moving away from SVOD. “SVOD is not going to be a significant part of our affiliate revenue” going forward, CEO Bob Bakish said on Viacom’s earnings call in February, saying that the company would be “highly selective in striking agreements with over-the-top distributors.”
Hulu also previously announced an affiliate agreement with Time Warner Inc. for live and on-demand streaming of Turner’s suite of popular entertainment, sports, news and kids’ networks including TNT, TBS, CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, truTV, Boomerang and Turner Classic Movies.
“As we begin to finalize our new live TV service, we’re pulling together the most valuable, well-rounded package of channels available for under $40,” said Mike Hopkins, CEO of Hulu in a statement. “We know the A+E Networks brand of award-winning storytelling is important to our viewers, and we’re very excited to add their networks to the core service we launch this Spring.”
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Hulu to offer our A+E Networks’ portfolio of brands on their live TV streaming service at launch,” said Nancy Dubuc, president and chief executive officer, A+E Networks in a statement. “Having our top six networks available on their core package speaks to the power of our entertainment portfolio in reaching men, women, adults and millennials.”
Hulu’s live TV service — to be priced under $40 per month — is expected to debut in April, featuring a cloud-based DVR, personalization features and a revamped interface designed for live-television viewing.
READ MORE: Variety
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