Video Streaming Just Got Competitive Again

Video streaming has been owned in the past few years by Netflix. They have been leading on practically every front. Original video streaming programs like House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, and the recently released Daredevil are all critically acclaimed. Netflix also inked deals with major studios like Disney to give them loads of family-friendly program that is absent from the other streaming services.

In just one week, the landscape of video streaming may be changing. In the past, Hulu has positioned itself as the go-to streaming service for offering current seasons of some of the most popular shows on television. This all changed on Wednesday when Hulu announced a $180 million deal with Sony to get the exclusive rights to stream all 180 episodes of Seinfeld.

This news alone gives Hulu a big win over rival Netflix. The big bomb shell might have come later in the day. According to Time magazine, Hulu has signed yet another exclusive deal with AMC Networks. The deal includes new and upcoming scripted episodes from AMC, IFC, BBC America, SundanceTV, and WEtv. Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins thinks this is a great deal for users of its streaming service.

“AMC Networks has an incredible reputation and track record in producing captivating storytelling across a variety of genres for true connoisseurs of television. This huge partnership guarantees that Hulu viewers will soon be able to enjoy the newest slate of premium programming from some of the top cable networks.”

The Seinfeld announcement came at the annual presentation to potential advertisers, Hulu Upfront. Along with the AMC and Seinfeld announcement, Hopkins painted a very rosy picture for subscribers in 2015 according to the Los Angeles Times.

“If you take away one thing, it’s that 2015 is the year Hulu will break out. We are investing significantly in content and technology. We have exclusive deals that set Hulu apart and set the stage for our future.”

Hulu will be expanding its original video streaming programming in the coming year. The streaming service will be adapting 11/22/63, a Stephen King novel. Other big names attached to Hulu projects include Amy Poehler, Jason Reitman, Zander Lehmann, and Parenthood and Friday Night Lights’ Jason Katims.

Hulu is still behind streaming heavy hitters Netflix and Amazon, but they have certainly caused the two services to take notice. The real winners in video streaming are the ever-growing number of people who are now cutting the cord. Between Hulu, Neflix, and Amazon Prime, one is never lacking for new and past programming to watch.

[Photo by Craig Barrit/Getty Images]