A joint venture between News Corp.’s Fox and NBC Universal, Los Angeles-based Hulu says it aims to bring together the widest selection of free, premium videos on the Web. But unlike Google’s YouTube, where unauthorized clips often end up, Hulu’s content is the result of pre-established partnerships with entertainment companies like Lionsgate and Sony Pictures Television.

When plans for the then-unnamed site were announced last year, many ridiculed the idea, discarding the thought based on the belief that media-moguls could never get into the the Internet side of the world. But when Hulu gave select viewers a look at the site, some critics changed their tune. The company received rave reviews for its site’s ease-of-use and simplicity.

The site features more than 250 television shows and 100 full-length feature films from Fox and NBC as well as content from companies like Warner Bros. Clips of other shows, including Saturday Night Live, will also be available on the site. However, it is yet to avail the support of the 2 other big television networks ABC and CBS. "The networks have the power to do big things with online video", says Morgan Guenther, CEO of interactive media startup AirPlay and the former president of TiVo. “If they do it right this thing will definitely have legs.”

I think Hulu definitely has the potential to engage a larger audience. Read more about Hulu on this page. Google sure needs to improvise on youtube as Hulu could provide some serious competition!

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