Hulu Plans Full Cable and Broadcast Channel Streaming

Hulu, until now primarily a rerun service for episodes of broadcast television shows, is apparently working to create a more robust offering that would stream entire broadcast and cable channels to consumers for a monthly fee. The still-unnamed service was described by three executives with direct knowledge of Hulu’s plans, apparently.

Mike Hopkins, the chief executive of Hulu, may discuss the concept at Hulu’s presentation for advertisers on May 4. Hulu is planning to introduce the service early 2016. While exact pricing details are still being determined, the new service is expected to cost about $40 a month. Hulu wants to offer what is known as a “skinny bundle” of broadcast and cable channels — in particular those operated by 21st Century Fox, the Walt Disney Company and Comcast’s NBCUniversal. Those three media companies co-own Hulu.