Streaming video platform Hulu will begin offering users the ability to watch content offline. The company also announced it past 20 million U.S. subscribers.
What Happened
Rival streaming video platform Netflix, Inc. NFLX introduced an offline viewing feature in 2015 that was expanded worldwide in 2016. Hulu will now offer a similar capability to its U.S. subscribers. Paid subscribers and those on the ad-supported model will be able to download Hulu content for offline viewing. However, users who don't pay a monthly fee will need to watch commercials with the shows.
Why It's Important
Hulu is now the first streaming video company to offer online viewing capabilities with advertising, TechCrunch said. Perhaps more important to the advertising community, free users won't be able to fast forward through the commercials.
"Hulu is the complete TV experience for consumers, offering both live and on-demand programming and more consumer choice than ever before," Hulu CEO Randy Freer said in a press release. "We are the only place that delivers award-winning content, ad loads less than half that of traditional television, with ads that are always viewable and always in a brand-safe environment — and we are leading the TV and advertising industries into the future.
What's Next
Hulu also announced during its Hulu 18 Presentation:
- An expansion of original content, including Mindy Kaling's ''Four Weddings and a Funeral.'
- A new comedy series from Ramy Youssef.
- A year-round horror event series called 'Into the Dark.'
- An exclusive deal to stream 'The Good Doctor.'
- A new and first-ever of its kind agreement with DreamWorks Animation for kids content.
Study: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Are More Complementary Than Competitive
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