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Hulu’s Statement On Pulling Video From CBS Interactive’s TV.com: ‘Exercising Contractual Rights’

Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. Pacific, Hulu pulled all of its video from TV.com, the recently relaunched CBS Interactive site.  A CBS Interactive spokeswoman told us this morning that no reason was given. Hulu’s terse statement suggests that both parties are aware of the rationale and that’s about all:

Hulu has contractual rights with regards to our relationship with tv.com and we are exercising those rights. Out of respect for their confidentiality, we will not disclose our discussions.”

Instead, Hulu apparently would rather have everyone speculate about the reasons and wonder if it’s some kind of virus that will spread to other partnerships. You would think that if a change of ownership could trigger it, that would have happened months ago when CNET Networks merged with CBS (NYSE: CBS). A lot of emphasis is being made on TV.com’s newly competitive efforts to become a video destination. It’s hard to tell what role that plays, especially since the NBC Universal-News Corp (NYSE: NWS). JV was built on a split model of creating a portal and distributing the bulk of its content to competing portals. Meanwhile, at last check, TV.com continues to promote shows users can’t watch—without an explanation.

Update: A little more clarity although not from anyone who can talk on the record and not confirmed by Hulu or CBS—sounds like the material change Hulu is claiming is related to the TV.com relaunch. From one perspective, it’s an effort to push CBS towards including its own content in a re-configured deal with Hulu. More as warranted.

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Feb 18, 2009 2:18 PM ET
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Posted In: Media & Publishing, TV, Technologies / Formats, Broadband, Companies, CBS, CBS Interactive, CNET, NBC Universal, News Corp., hulu

  • it is the fact that it has episodes of the few shows on CBS that I watch that aren’t on Hulu.  The video quality, video player interface, organization, etc. are all extremely sub par in comparison to Hulu.  CBS should buy into Hulu so that they are getting their share and use it to distribute their shows online.

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  • Jamie Poitra

    The only thing TV.com has going for it is the fact that it has episodes of the few shows on CBS that I watch that aren't on Hulu.  The video quality, video player interface, organization, etc. are all extremely sub par in comparison to Hulu.  CBS should buy into Hulu so that they are getting their share and use it to distribute their shows online. 

    Shame on Hulu for not being upfront about what they are doing though.  Makes it seem like posturing.

  • MediaWatcher

    The execs running CBS Interactive should really all be terminated. This has got to be one of the WORST sites in terms of navigation.

    I as a user have NO idea of the complete list of shows that are available on the site. If someone has some idea of how I can figure this out please let me know.

    I'm not going to use the site search engine either. Waste of time.

    Maybe CBS Interactive will get it right sometime in 2010.

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