Hulu ‘could make international return’

John Nallen

American on-demand platform Hulu could make a return to the international market, according to a senior executive at part-owner 21st Century Fox.

Hulu was a previously available outside the US in Japan, having also come close to launching in the UK in some format in 2009. However, it hasn’t been offered internationally since February 2014 when the Japanese business was sold to Nippon TV.

Asked during an analyst call what the future strategy for Hulu would be, 21st Century Fox CFO John Nallen appeared to say this strategy could be revisited.

“[We are focusing] primarily domestic right now. I think there is an opportunity internationally for Hulu to compete, but that’s a decision that all the shareholders would have to make at the time with the company,” he said.

Hulu’s broadcaster parents – Fox, The Walt Disney Company and Comcast –decided to recapitalise the US service in July 2013 after taking it off the market. This made it more competitive on a domestic basis against VOD rivals Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video, and it now competes to acquire exclusive rights and commission originals such as the recent 11/22/63.