MUMBAI: Hulu, co-owned by News Corp, Disney and NBCUniversal, is making substantial investments in original content.

One of the shows announced at its upfront is ?The Awesomes? from Seth Meyers and producer Michael Shoemaker. It is about an unassuming superhero and his cohorts who battle diabolical villains, the ever-present paparazzi and a less-than-ideal reputation as second-class crimefighters.

Hulu also sent a message to the ad fraternity that online video is a medium that they cannot afford to ignore.

Hulu?s head of advertising Jean-Paul Colaco said, "Online video is exploding. It?s a tremendous time of transformation and Hulu is the catalyst for that growth."

Other shows announced include ?Up To Speed?. This is a Richard Linklater reality show that follows tour guide, historian and ?flaneur Timothy ?Speed? Levitch as he visits somewhat obscure monuments in American cities. ?We Got Next? is a male targetted show about four men who form an unlikely friendship around their mutual love of pick-up basketball.

?Don?t Quit Your Daydream? is an adaptation of Grenier?s documentary featuring famous musicians searching for could-have-been stars and giving them a second chance. ?Flow? is about Ed Dante, a hard-working kid from the wrong side of the tracks who is framed for a crime he didn?t commit. He begins a quest to deliver true justice. To achieve his goal, he must discover the mysteries of an ancient art, uncover hidden worlds and become a hero to a generation.

The company said that Americans watched 2.5 billion videos on it in February -- about 1,000 videos a second. Hulu also said that it held 20 per cent of the online video market and 40 per cent of the premium video market. It said that its more than two million paid subscribers have made its $8-per-month video subscription service the fastest growing in US history.

Last year Hulu made $420 million in revenue.

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and online video service Hulu have announced a new first look deal for international distribution rights to the online video service?s original commission programming.

This is the first time an international distributor has signed such an agreement with an online video service. The deal enables FME to distribute Hulu original series globally across all platforms including traditional media.

The first title FME will take to the global market is Morgan Spurlock?s acclaimed documentary series, ?A Day In The Life?, which Hulu premieres for a second season on Hulu and the Hulu Plus subscription service.

Hulu?s foray into long-form original content kicked off in 2011 with the premiere of A Day in the Life, which chronicles a complete day in the life of some the world?s most fascinating humans, from billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and street artist Mr. Brainwash to multi-platinum Black Eye Peas front man, will.i.am.

The second season features chef Mario Batali, the Roots drummer and frontman Questlove, comedian Marc Maron, hip-hop duo Das Racist and more. Morgan Spurlock gives viewers a 24-hour snapshot of his subjects? lives on a day that may be ordinary to them but feels extraordinary to viewers.

FremantleMedia Enterprises global CEO David Ellender said, ?This is a ground-breaking deal, which sets a new precedent for acquiring content that can live on both digital and linear platforms, while dentifying opportunities outside of the traditional distribution models. We are delighted to be part of Hulu?s ambitious push in to the production of original programming and to be offering audiences across the world access to innovative new shows like A Day in the Life.?

Hulu senior VP of content Andy Forssell said, "As we expand into original series, we?re collaborating with some of the world?s greatest independent storytellers to make and distribute great TV. Through this new partnership with FME, we now have the opportunity to extend the reach of these distinctive stories like Morgan Spurlock?s ?A Day in the Life,? on a global scale."

With its original programming, Hulu provides opportunities for independent storytellers to produce and distribute their work across its optimised distribution platform. Hulu recently launched its first original scripted series, ?Battleground?, a drama with comedic moments set in the world of political campaigns.

MUMBAI: Hulu, the over-the-top (OTT) subscription service offering ad-supported on-demand streaming video of TV shows, movies and webisodes, has announced that it grew the business by 60 per cent from 2010 to approximately $420 million in revenue.

Hulu claims to have exceeded its plan despite the soft ad market in the second half of 2011. Overall, the Hulu ad business grew aggressively and Hulu Plus materially exceeded the plan.

Hulu Plus now has over 1.5 million paying subscribers and this number continues to grow extremely fast. Hulu Plus has reached 1.5 million paid subscribers faster than any video subscription service launch (online or offline) in US history. It is attracting more than 2x the number of subscribers each day when compared to this time last year. The company expects that its subscription services will account for more than half of its overall business later this year.

Last year it expanded the content available to Hulu and Hulu Plus customers. Hulu?s content offering grew approximately 40 per cent vs 2010; Hulu Plus? content offering grew more than 105 per cent.

Hulu Plus offers current season content from five of the six largest US broadcast networks, with shows from The CW and Univision added this past quarter. In 2011, it added series, including ?Grimm?, ?Once Upon a Time?, ?Misfits?, ?Revenge?, ?Terra Nova? and New Girl.

In 2011, Hulu invested heavily in the development of apps that empower users to access Hulu Plus from a wide variety of devices. Hulu Plus is now accessible on leading consumer electronics devices and mobile operating systems with a combined installed base of over 200 million.

Hulu said its ad service continues to lead the online video ad market, with the largest market share of a rapidly expanding market. It has now served over 1,000 brand advertisers.