Time Warner takes 10% stake in streaming group Hulu

Time Warner announced today it was taking a 10 percent stake in Hulu, a streaming video provider that is ramping up as a competitor to sector leader Netflix.
"Our investment in Hulu underscores Time Warner's commitment to supporting and developing new platforms for the delivery of high-quality content and great consumer experiences to audiences around the globe," Time Warner chairman and chief executive Jeff Bewkes said in a statement.
Time Warner joins Disney, 21st Century Fox and Comcast in the joint venture.
Hulu's relationship with the major broadcast operators gives it an edge in some areas over Netflix and Amazon video because it offers many programs just after they air on Fox, Disney-owned ABC and Comcast-owned NBC.

Hulu also produces original programs.
Time Warner's Turner television unit -- which includes TNT, TBS, CNN, Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies and others -- will be available live and on-demand on Hulu's new live-streaming service, which is slated to launch early next year, the companies said.

Bewkes said this would be "a new consumer-friendly package featuring leading networks that will deliver more value to audiences and complement Hulu's core (on-demand) offerings."
Bewkes said Time Warner, which also owns the HBO premium channel, is committed "to supporting innovative digital services that allow consumers to access high-quality content however they want it across a variety of platforms."

Mike Hopkins, CEO of Hulu, said the deal "marks a major step for Hulu as we continue to redefine television for both consumers and advertisers."
Details of the investment were not disclosed but some reports said Time Warner was investing some USD 580 million, which would value Hulu at close to USD 6 billion.
The deal would leave each of the other media firms with a 30 percent stake.
Time Warner separately reported net income for the second quarter of USD 952 million on revenues of USD 6.95 billion.