AT&T Inks Deal With Hulu To Sell Streaming Service To Customers

AT&T has taken one more step toward the fulfillment of its online video strategy. The massive telecommunications company has partnered with Hulu to start offering the streaming platform’s Plus premium subscription service to AT&T mobile and website customers.

AT&T will market Hulu Plus as simply “Hulu” to customers, who will be able to browse and watch the streaming video company’s programming via an AT&T mobile app or website. Subscribers will be able to watch content from five major TV networks like ABC and NBC, or stream Hulu’s original series (including the company’s upcoming projects) and acquired content (like all the seasons of Seinfeld).

The news of AT&T and Hulu’s deal comes only a day after AT&T’s competitor, Verizon, announced the acquisition of AOL. This deal was presumably struck because of AOL’s quality ad tech, but Verizon could also be hoping to take on AT&T’s video strategy by utilizing AOL’s successful video content and departments. AT&T has already had its finger on the online video industry for a while now, having invested in YouTube multi-channel network Fullscreen

On Hulu’s end, the deal with AT&T helps the streaming service reach a new audience of subscribers. Variety notes Hulu already has a deal in place with AT&T to distribute the video service’s free content. Additionally, Hulu has completed negotiations with other cable companies like Cablevision Systems to sell Plus to their subscribers, as well.

“We know that our customers want to be able to access video on multiple devices,” said Andrew Goodman, associate VP of content acquisition for AT&T, to Variety. “So we’re excited to be able to expand our relationship with Hulu and make its innovative and vast video selections available to AT&T customers on multiple screens.”

Neither AT&T nor Hulu have announced when the premium SVOD service will be available to the telco’s mobile and website customers.