Report: Disney in talks to join Hulu

The Walt Disney Company is discussing a deal to take an equity stake in Hulu in exchange for providing the video portal with ABC programming, according to a published report.

Citing unnamed sources, news blog PaidContent says that it's not clear how much of ABC's content would be involved, but a final deal could include ESPN, the sports cable behemoth that has been a goldmine for Disney.

Representatives from Disney and Hulu were not immediately available.

The talks between the two companies reportedly are "serious," but a final deal has not been reached, according to two of PaidContent's sources.

In the year since launching, Hulu has quickly risen to the top ranks of online video. The site is currently backed by News Corp., parent company of Fox and NBC Universal.

More to come

[rucknrun]

That would be a great thing. It would push me closer to getting rid of my cable subscription.

[edtmark]

Still waiting for it to be available in Canada...Although there are a few Canadian-only alternatives in the works, it probably won't match the usability of quality of Hulu :-(

[karpenterskids]

Hulu is amazing, and keeps getting better.
Enough said. :)

[sullivanjc]

If they put the full episodes they have on the ABC site on Hulu, that will effectively solve the doesn't work with Linux problem ABC has

[anthonyyaco]

yes that would be amazing. i want to watch lost but i have no way.

[abcd9009]

Screw ABC. I want all of ESPN and ESPN Classic on Hulu.

[paulsecic]

I love HULU! They have McChale's navy, Father knows best. You can tell I'm old.. HULU has lots of ABC shows already.

[sopanshah]

News Corp is not a parent of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is owned 80% by GE and 20% by Viviendi

[DustoMan]

I just hope ABC won't be upset if Hulu ever comes back to boxee.