Hulu IPO? Hulu May Go Public In the Fall 2010

by NowPublic Staff | August 16, 2010 at 11:10 am

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Hulu Initial Public Offering Slated For Fall New York Times Reports

The online video streaming service Hulu may issue an IPO by the fall the New York Times is reporting.

The NY Times quotes anonymous sources close to Hulu IPO proposal.

In recent weeks, Hulu executives have begun talking to investment banks about pursuing an initial public offering as soon as this fall, these people said. These people were granted anonymity because the discussions are still private.

Such a move would be one of the most prominent media offerings this year, building off its success in streaming popular shows like “Glee” and “Modern Family.”

Apparently, the Hulu IPO could see Hulu receive a valuation of close to $1 billion.

Hulu brings together a large selection of videos from over 225 leading content companies, including FOX, NBC Universal, ABC, ABC Family, Biography, Lionsgate, Endemol, MGM, MTV Networks, National Geographic, Digital Rights Group, Paramount, PBS, Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros. and more. Users can choose from more than 2,600 current primetime TV hits such as The Simpsons, 30 Rock, Lost, Glee and The Office the morning after they air; classics like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The A-Team, Airwolf and Married...with Children

It is unclear how successful the Hulu IPO would be but Hulu would be entering into a fairly small world of publicly traded video streaming services, the big player on the block is Netflix.

However, Netflix started off and is still primarily an online DVD rental and delivery service.

Netflix has recently entered the streaming business and it is experiencing tremendous growth even though its stock price has been up and down all year.

Shares are up 30% in the last two weeks, past $137, and are up almost 40% from their post-earnings lows in late July.

Shares are up 30% in the last two weeks, past $137, and are up almost 40% from their post-earnings lows in late July.

Hulu has launched its own video streaming subscription service, Hulu Plus and if it does launch an IPO in the fall it may well have a treasure chest to take on Netflix.