• VentureBeat, Wednesday, April 1, 2009 11:15 AM

A source tells Silicon Alley Insider that a deal to bring Disney content to Hulu is "basically done." VentureBeat's MG Siegler says the implications of such a deal would be huge for the joint video venture from News Corp. and NBC Universal, which would be able to add programming from ESPN and ABC, as well as movies from Disney.

If the deal goes through, Hulu would have content from all the major networks except CBS. That's OK, Siegler says, "CBS hardly seems rich with the content that the web-savvy users who watch Hulu now flock to." ABC, with shows like "Lost," is "much more important," he says, as is ESPN, if sporting events become part of the deal. Siegler notes that Hulu could become a great way to catch a sporting event you missed if you don't have a DVR or forget to set it.

Earlier this week, PaidContent reported that a deal would make Disney an equal partner in Hulu, along with NBC Universal and News Corp. The move would actually reduce their stake in the venture from 45% to 30% each. Disney's share would also be 30%; Providence Equity Partners would continue to own the remaining 10%.

Separately, Disney yesterday reached a deal with YouTube to make clips-not full shows-from its properties available on the video-sharing site.

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