Cablevision adds Hulu to Optimum TV STBs

Thursday, April 7th, 2016
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Cablevision Launches Hulu on Optimum TV

  • Optimum is the First Cable Operator to Provide TV Customers with Dedicated Channel Access to Hulu

Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) today announced the integration of Hulu into the Optimum TV experience, enabling customers to access the online streaming TV service directly from the Optimum TV interactive program guide on all current-generation set top boxes. With this launch, Optimum is the first cable provider to activate a channel dedicated to Hulu’s vast content library including current season broadcast programming, libraries of classic content, hit movies and Hulu Originals.

The Hulu service can be accessed through Optimum channel 605. Customers who already have a Hulu subscription can seamlessly access the service by tuning to the channel from their HD set top box and signing into their Hulu account. Customers without a Hulu account can access a free trial offer and then subscribe to the service through Optimum by visiting channel 605 or logging in to optimum.net.

The launch of Hulu on Optimum TV is powered by ActiveVideo’s CloudTV StreamCast product, which enables online video content to be delivered to set top boxes in a customer’s home.

“As Hulu’s first cable distribution partner, Optimum is pleased to also be the first provider to offer the unique ability to access Hulu directly from the program guide,” said Tom Montemagno, Cablevision’s executive vice president of programming. “This new delivery of Hulu, facilitated by ActiveVideo cloud technology, provides Optimum customers with a truly unparalleled experience when accessing their cable and Hulu subscriptions from their television.”

“We are thrilled that Optimum customers can now access Hulu’s content library without having to leave their cable TV environment” said Tim Connolly, SVP of Distribution and Strategic Partnerships, Hulu. “We are pleased to partner with Cablevision and ActiveVideo to bring Hulu’s breadth and depth of content and experience to Optimum TV customers.”

“The launch of Hulu on Optimum TV set top boxes, made possible by our advanced cloud technology, bridges the gap between pay-TV and online video services,” said Jeff Miller, president and CEO of ActiveVideo. “ActiveVideo is proud to enable this fully integrated solution for Optimum TV customers who can now seamlessly switch between their cable lineup and their Hulu subscription.”

Last year Cablevision became the first cable or satellite provider to agree to distribute Hulu’s comprehensive catalog of on-demand content to its Optimum customers.

The Hulu channel is currently available in select Cablevision service areas and will roll out across the remaining footprint in the coming weeks.

Cablevision serves more than three million customers in the New York tri-state area with its Optimum-branded TV, phone and Internet services. Optimum TV offers customers access to hundreds of channels and tens of thousands of titles available on demand at all times as well as TV to GO content from more than 170 networks.