More than a few TV viewers might be surprised to learn that Hulu — the popular streaming video service — offers a wealth of both exclusively licensed and original content. In fact, Hulu began offering original programming more than two years ago. The site has launched nine programs (including four this year) and plans on debuting another half dozen shows in 2014. And they’ve added their about 30 exclusively licensed shows from across the globe—including fare from the UK, South Korea, Israel, France, Scandinavia—to satisfy and grow their four million subscribers. TIME recently chatted with Charlotte Koh, Hulu Original’s head of content development, about the company’s expanding profile. . TIME: How did Hulu gain an entrance into original programming? Koh: I think very few people know we actually launched in August 2011, a six-episode order of A Day in the Life with Richard Branson. The service had been successful as a proven distribution platform and the natural step in evolution was for the company to figure out how to have exclusivity. The subscription service started in November 2010 and took off. But a subscription businesses needs to retain people, so we needed to buy and make exclusive content. How do you balance the licensing with original programming? Part of the strategy of buying is looking at things that deserve a home in the world of premium television, but for whatever reason haven’t found it and are made available for us. Things like the British shows Misfits, Mongrels, and Spy, are all very successful on our service. We were looking for proof-of-concept and asking ourselves if we could draw an audience to an original show that hasn’t been on before. Year two, everything gets stepped up and we are making bigger shows and bigger bets, and discovering, hey, this works and gets more people to spend time on Hulu and gets new people to Hulu. Three-quarters of our shows are things we buy — and the other quarter is things we make, all creating a personality for the brand. What, exactly,Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
