Television and movie streaming service Hulu has reported that, as of the end of December, they have obtained over 25 million subscribers total to their service. That’s an 8 million subscriber jump from their announcement back at the end of 2017.
While not quite pulling in the numbers of streaming rival Netflix, who currently has 57 million subscribers in the U.S. alone, Hulu has been turning a reliable profit and frequently growing. In addition to streaming video content, Hulu also maintains business as an advertising company, hence the short commercial breaks it plays while streaming. The value of Hulu’s advertising sector grew by an impressive $1.5 billion in 2018, a 45 percent increase in a single year.
Exclusive shows like ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ have been netting Hulu the lion’s share of their viewers (and by extension, profits). The second season of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ saw Hulu’s total viewership spike almost 76 percent. Hulu CEO Randy Freer is optimistic about the future of streaming. “Consumers have spoken loudly about their desire for more choice and control in their TV experience,” he said. “They are seeing the enormous benefits of streaming, they’re deciding which content and brands are most important to them, and they’re choosing Hulu.”
While not quite within striking distance of Netflix, Hulu’s steady profits make one of the major rocks of the streaming industry.
