Hulu, the web video site that delivers quality network and cable television shows to web viewers, has announced their slate of new programming called the “Summer Series”. This is the dawn of a new era similar to the dawn of cable networks. Instead of just replaying the network programs, web video providers will now be creating their own series, and if they get even just one hit, users will have a whole new source of programming, thereby cleaving the market.
Launch a social media campaign that will build your brand and deliver results in our online Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting June 7. Speakers include Abigail Cusick (Bravo Digital), Gregory Galant (Sawhorse Media), Alex Leo (Thomson Reuters Digital), Jim Tobin (Ignite Social Media), and many more. Read the reviews. 
An article over at Forbes takes a look at a recent decision by Hulu to encourage users to sign in with Facebook — or else lose the ability to engage with the site’s social features. That means if you signed in with Yahoo, Gmail or Hotmail, then you have no ability to share your content with friends.
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LinkedIn Launches iPad App With Bells and Whistles (SocialTimes)
Professional social network LinkedIn has finally launched an app for iPad. The social network obviously has a lot on its plate, having gone public and serving 150 million users per month, but it’s great to see that they took time to reach out to iPad users with a native app. The Washington Post LinkedIn says users often log on to the site through their iPads in the early morning to prepare for meetings and in the evening, on the couch. The iPad app targets these people with a calendar function and other features optimized for the device. Before, they had to use iPad’s Web browser or use an iPhone app that doesn’t take advantage of the iPad’s screen size. VentureBeat Typically, LinkedIn’s most avid users are a relatively affluent crowd, and they’re in their early 30s to 50s, which lines up nicely with tablet ownership demographics (college grads under 65 years of age who earn $75,000 or more per year). PCMag The new iPad app is available for free in Apple’s App Store. In addition to the app, LinkedIn also rolled out a new mobile website for the Safari browser on the iPad. Read more
Following the 23rd annual GLAAD Media Awards last week, today Hulu announced that they have introduced a Gay and Lesbian genre category to their repertoire.
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Twitter Promotes Patent Peace with Innovator’s Agreement (paidContent)
In a first among major tech companies, Twitter is taking steps to ensure that its patents don’t become fuel for future intellectual property wars. Twitter Blog It is a commitment from Twitter to our employees that patents can only be used for defensive purposes. We will not use the patents from employees’ inventions in offensive litigation without their permission. parislemon Hopefully other startups large and small will follow Twitter’s lead here. It would be really excellent if larger companies (*cough* Yahoo *cough*) did as well, but it’s hard to see that happening given the current state of things. This is a movement that will have to start from the ground up. AllTwitter Those “in the know” when it comes to patent law seem to approve. VentureBeat The Innovator’s Patent Agreement will take effect later this year; you can read the whole thing on GitHub. Read more
Hulu Plus users with Android tablets will be happy to hear that the service is now available on seven android tablets, complete with a brand new interface.
If you’ve tuned into Hulu today, you’ve probably noticed that things look a little bit different. The online video streaming site has launched a brand new bigger and better player.
Back in March Hulu’s CEO Jason Kilar predicted that the video streaming site was on pace to make half a billion dollars in revenue in 2011. They didn’t quite make it, but according to statistics released on the Hulu blog they came very close, clocking in at $420 million in revenue last year.
Chill.com is making the TV viewing experience more social than ever, letting users watch television shows, live events and music videos with friends. They’re running the latest Hulu episodes of popular shows like Dancing with the Stars, House, Law & Order and more on a schedule and viewers can tune in to watch their favorite shows with their friends and people from all over the world (at least in places where Hulu is available).
Glee: One of Hulu's most popular shows
In a short and to the point statement released mid-week, equity owners and Hulu senior management team announced that Hulu was no longer for sale:
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