Hulu Signs Global First-Look Deal With Fremantle

Video streaming site announces it has signed deals to distribute documentaries from Morgan Spurlock and Amir Bar-Lev

Hulu has signed a new first look, international distribution deal with FremantleMedia Enterprises, the company said Sunday.

The new pact comes as the video streaming site has begun to ramp up its own in-house original programming.

The first show that Fremantle will distribute globally is Morgan Spurlock's documentary series, "A Day in the Life," which begins its second season this week.

Additionally, Hulu announced that it has signed deals to exclusively distribute documentaries. Hulu said it has essentially purchased the pay-TV window for such titles as Spurlock's "Comic-Con," which looks at the annual San Diego-based geek festival, and Amir Bar-Lev's "Re:Generation Music Project," which focuses on musicians using technology to mash together musical genres.

Also read: Netflix's 'Lilyhammer' and Hulu's 'Battleground' Rely Too Heavily on Tried and True

"We're not looking to bid against [the networks]" Andy Forssell, Hulu’s senior vice president of content, told TheWrap. "We seek out creators with great ideas, where we can make the difference."

Forssell said that Hulu has had great success with documentaries and with shows such as "Battleground," a 30 minute political drama, that would have faced uphill climbs to find audiences on more conventional platforms.

"We'd much rather have the difference be not our money is greener than someone else's, but we see a future for this audience," Forssell said. 

The deal with Fremantle enables the company to distribute Hulu original series  across all platforms, including traditional media.

Hulu's foray into long-form original content kicked off in 2011 with the premiere of "A Day in the Life," which chronicles 24-hours in the life of some the world’s most fascinating humans, from billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson to Black Eye Peas front man, will.i.am. 


 

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