• Financial Times, Thursday, May 7, 2009 11:15 AM

The Financial Times reports that Hulu.com is taking its first steps towards becoming a global content provider, signing its first round of content deals with international television producers. Hulu, which is jointly owned by News Corp., NBC Universal, and Disney, is still only available in the U.S., but company executives on Wednesday said it was in talks to launch the site in eight of the leading international broadcast markets.

"We're having discussions in the top six to eight markets... we're laying the groundwork," Andy Forssell, senior vice president of content acquisition and distribution, told FT.com.

Hulu has added content deals with UK broadcasters Endemol, the producer of Big Brother, and Digital Rights Group, Bollywood producer Saavn, and is in talks with several others, including Britain's BBC and ITV. Forssell pointed out that the deals would provide a new revenue stream for content producers. "You have these hidden gems [like Green Wing] which the US audience just hasn't seen before," said Mr Forssell.

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