Hulu struck a multi-year deal with Warner Bros. Television for exclusive streaming rights to broadcast “Blindspot” and “Lucifer” to its paying subscribers, as well as “Rizzoli & Isles.”
Financial terms of the deal, which also includes the rights to stream “Smallville” and “Southland,” weren’t disclosed. It’s Hulu’s first licensing deal with Warner Bros. TV. People who watch Hulu free by sitting through its heaviest load of ads won’t be able to watch the Warner programs.
The deal builds on Hulu’s aim to morph itself more in Netflix’s image. Hulu, which is owned by the parent companies of broadcast networks NBC, ABC and Fox, has been widening its identity from simply being the ad-supported home for next-day TV into a site with enough original and exclusive streaming content for paying members.
Last week, Hulu announced a multi-year deal with NBCUniversal for “Curious George” shows, specials and movies, which also limits the catalog of content to its subscription tiers.
Under the WB deal, Hulu will be the exclusive U.S. streaming home to all episodes of “Blindspot” Season 1, following its run on NBC, as well as future seasons, and all episodes of “Lucifer,” which is in its first season on FOX.
The pact makes Hulu the first subscription video service to stream”Rizzoli & Isles.” The show’s first five seasons will be available starting in April, and future seasons will be available to stream on Hulu following their season run on TNT. It also included library titles”The O.C.” starting in April and “Southland” and “Smallville” later this year.