WB announces web video distribution deals, snubs Hulu

by Brad Linder Jun 12th 2008

Warner Brothers is broadening its online video strategy. The company recently launched a private beta version of a web site featuring WB television programs from years gone by including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls, and Friends. There's also a smattering of original content. Now the WB has announced plans to spread the video love through a series of partnerships.

The WB will be launching two web sites, TheWB.com and KidsWB.com. You'll be able to watch videos on those two sites, but the WB will also be distributing content via DailyMotion, Joost, Sling Media, TiVo, and Veoh Networks.

The whole thing actually sounds an awful lot like Hulu, a similar venture started by Fox and NBC. While you can watch videos at Hulu.com, you can also find Hulu content at other online video portals like AOL Video or MSN Video. The WB already distributes a handful of shows through Hulu, but nowhere near the number you'll be able to find at the new web sites.

Honestly, it would have been kind of awesome if the WB had partnered with Hulu so you could find most of the content you were looking for at a single site instead of visiting yet another page to find a video. Fortunately, some of these partners, including Veoh will have partnerships with both Hulu and the WB, which means you may be able to find a one-stop shop. It just won't be managed by Hulu, Fox, NBC, or the WB.

The new channels will launch in mid-September.

Tags: hulu, online-video, the-wb, tv, wb, wbtv

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

whiskey said 4:36PM on 6-12-2008

Latin America can already see Gossip Girls (if you are into that stuff anyways) from the www.wbla.com website.

Since it prompts me to install a Firefox addon to watch it, I'm going to pass, but you might be interested in seeing if it is somewhat similar to the US service...

whiskey said 4:37PM on 6-12-2008

Hmm sorry... I forgot that not everybody knows spanish... maybe this link helps you get there faster.

http://video.wbla.com/?idioma=esp

Anthony said 9:43AM on 7-21-2008

the WB's has content-specific videos from their own network or studio has is this better then hulu, zoogatv and tidaltv with popular video content like moves, tv shows and comedy from multiple content partners. they should wake up and smell the coffee.

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