Suddenlink Communications has joined a growing group of MVPDs that have struck distribution agreements with Hulu that will enable its customers to access the subscription OTT service on leased devices.
Suddenlink, an operator with 1.1 million TV subs that’s in the process of being acquired by Altice Group for $9.1 billion, said it expects to make Hulu available via its TiVo devices later this year, noting that the new partnership with Hulu was enabled in part via the MSO’s deal with TiVo announced in July 2010. Suddenlink also offers its own VOD service and Netflix on leased TiVo devices.
“We're working with Internet content providers like Hulu in a continuing effort to offer innovative solutions that benefit consumers,” Kathy Payne, Suddenlink’s chief programming officer said, in a statement. “Our ongoing network investments allow us to deliver Hulu to our customers with Internet connections that tend to be the fastest and highest-ranked in the communities we serve.”
"We are excited about integrating Hulu¹s content and experience into Suddenlink¹s set-top boxes, so that consumers have seamless and simple access to the content they love, all in one place,” added Tim Connolly, Hulu’s senior vice president, distribution.
Hulu has inked similar deals with Cablevision Systems, Armstrong, Atlantic Broadband, Mediacom Communications, Midcontinent Communications and WideOpenWest. AT&T also has plans to distribute Hulu via its network of websites and mobile apps, and is exploring the possibility of bringing a Hulu app to TV.
Speaking at the INTX show in Chicago earlier this month, Connolly said Hulu's MVPD partners will also get a share of Hulu's subscription revenue. Hulu’s subscription service currently fetches $7.99 per month.
Joe Canavan, vice president of product management and sales at Atlantic Broadband, said in an interview (subscription required) that the company also plans to integrate the Hulu app on TiVo-powered boxes that the operator leases to pay TV customers. In addition to tying Hulu’s catalog into the platform’s search and discovery system, the operator also intends to offer some genre-based Hulu “channels,” such as one focused on kid’s programming, that deep-link the viewer to specific Hulu titles.
