Cablevision Offering Hulu Plus to Cable Subscribers

28 Apr, 2015 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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Cablevision April 28 became the first domestic multichannel video program distributor to offer direct access to Hulu Plus and enable subscribers to pay for the service through the monthly cable bill — a perk not even Netflix offers. Pricing and other particulars, including availability date, will be disclosed in the near future.

The Manhattan, N.Y.-based cabler with about 3 million subscribers earlier this month helped launch HBO Now, the $15/monthly standalone subscription streaming service from HBO. And in a page out of the defunct Aereo TV playbook, Cablevision is offering Optimum broadband subscribers a Mohu Leaf 50 digital antenna enabling them to access for free local TV network broadcasts.

Through its Optimum-branded products and services, Cablevision recently launched several new ‘cord-cutter’ product offers, including a high-speed broadband package designed for over-the-top (OTT) video enthusiasts. Optimum Online high-speed Internet service includes a wide range of product tiers as well as unlimited access to Optimum WiFi, the nation’s most robust WiFi network featuring 1.1 million hotspots across the tri-state area.

“The partnership with Hulu reflects Cablevision’s desire to meet customers where they are,” Kristin Dolan, COO of Cablevision, said in a statement. "There is a new generation of consumers who access video through the Internet, and whatever their preference, Cablevision will facilitate a great content experience."

Tim Connolly, SVP of distribution with Hulu, said billing the SVOD service through the cable bill encouragers the latter and empowers the former.

"Even with the rapid growth in streaming, there is a huge audience that consumes television through their cable provider, and we want to be there for them too,” Connolly said.

Hulu, which is co-owned by The Walt Disney Co., 21st Century Fox and NBC Universal, April 29 will update its subscriber numbers in addition to debuting a slate of new original programming at “Hulu Upfront 2015” in New York.

 

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