Although online television companies have been primarily purveyors of traditional TV content to this point, that is changing. original programming is becoming a legitimate proposition, and Hulu is leading the way.

Original Programming

The Internet is changing the way we all consumer content, be it music, movies, games, or television. The networks and cable companies aren’t too happy about this, but it’s happening with or without them.

Not only are there now a multitude of online options for those looking to cut the cord, the companies serving up these new ways of viewing are expanding their remits to include original programming.

Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube are responsible for original content, from Web shorts to professional, network-quality shows. And it’s a trend that is showing no sign of slowing down or disappearing.

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Hulu has changed its UI for those who watch video content on the Web. The changes are intended to improve the experience, but some users aren’t seeing it quite that way.

BIG Hulu Update

Hulu has rolled out a new version of the video player on its website. The biggest change is the default size of the player, with it being 55 percent larger than the old one.

This change in size has necessitated a few other, lesser changes. The background color (now a dark gray matte), the location of the video details (now underneath the video), and the hiding of several options behind a ‘More’ button.

This includes the option to view the content in a ‘Pop-Out’ player. Which is still there for those willing to look beyond their noses. Unfortunately people generally don’t take the time to absorb simple changes such as these before they let loose with the complaints. As has happened here.

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I’m writing this on February 29, a day that only exists once every four years. It’s a leap year, which makes perfect timing to announce a second season of the show by that name. That’s a clever piece of marketing, Hiscox.

Original Web Series

Original Web series come in all different shapes and sizes. They can be purely amateur affairs uploaded to YouTube, or more professional efforts which are commissioned by and/or shown across online platforms.

Some of these shows have been highly successful, from the fake reality show LonelyGirl15, through Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog and on to the cable-like shows Lilyhammer and House Of Cards.

The latter two are indiscernible from television shows, except they are exclusive to Netflix. Leap Year is another TV-like show, but this one isn’t exclusive to Netflix. Instead it’s available anywhere and everywhere, or so it seems.

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Hulu has long held ambitions to break out of its self-imposed U.S. borders and head to foreign lands. Japan was the first country to welcome the company in, but Europe is the big prize. And Germany could be Hulu’s way in.

Hulu Expansion Plans

Hulu is, at this point, almost entirely a U.S. company. It’s owned by U.S. networks and investors, and the content on offer is mostly American. However, Hulu has looked abroad quite extensively, but only Japan has so far signed on to accept the service.

Rumors persist of a move into Australia, but the latest country being targeted is Germany. At least according to NewTeeVee.

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We all remember Sunday afternoons spent vegging out watching television, with the channel being viewed being chosen by the holder of the remote control. But those days of watching TV collectively have passed, haven’t they?

Chill

Chill began life as the Turntable.fm for online video, with people taking it in turns to show their choice of video clip to a roomful of avatars. It worked rather well, strangely. But Chill has bigger ambitions, which it is now realizing by adding the likes of Hulu, Vevo, Livestream, Ustream, and Justin.tv to its line-up.

This is social viewing. Not a new concept but one that continues to bubble under the surface of mainstream appeal. Chill is hoping people will come to its site at show time in order to watch videos together and generally make a party out of the experience.

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Hulu is busy expanding to new international markets and acquiring more content for its viewers. You wouldn’t think that until a month ago it was up for sale as its current owners looked to pass it off to someone else.

Hulu Back On Course

Now that Hulu is no longer being sold, basically because no one was willing to pay the asking price and accept the conditions of the sale, the company is forging ahead with its plans to build on the success it has experienced so far.

We’ve already seen Hulu launch in Japan, representing the first international expansion for the company. And this week Hulu secured new premium content, with The CW being added to its channel lineup.

You have to wonder what all that fuss about wanting to sell was in the first place, because there is clearly a solid business here.

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Were you hoping to buy Hulu and had a spare $2 billion plus lying around the house not doing anything? Then your luck is out, as Hulu’s owners have decided to hold on to the online video service. At least for the time being.

Hulu For Sale

Hulu was put up for sale at the end of June after its owners, Disney, News Corps., Comcast, and Providence decided now might be the perfect time to cash out their chips. Why? And why now? No one really seems sure, but it has been suggested there was a desire to nab a new owner now who could then be rinsed in a couple of years when it came time to reach an agreement on licensing content.

The number of bidders was cut down until eventually just two serious contenders remained in the game. Dish Networks with a bid of $1.9 billion and the terms in place, and Google with a bid of $4 billion for something different than the current owners had in mind.

In the end neither was deemed good enough.

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