NBCU, News Corp. Video Site Hulu to Debut

Hulu, the online video joint venture between NBC Universal (NYSE: GE) and News Corp. (NYSE: NWS), will officially launch on Wednesday, ending 18 weeks of an invitation-only beta test. In addition to content from NBC, Universal and Fox, the company has announced new content partnerships with Warner Bros. Television Group, Lionsgate, and sports leagues NBA, NHL and NCAA. (Digital Media Wire, AP)

Apple shakes up online video plan

Apple has overhauled key elements of its online video strategy following an admission by Steve Jobs on Tuesday that the company’s early efforts had been a disappointment. The changes involve a new online rental service for movies, which was first reported in the FT last month, and a revamp of the Apple TV set-top box so that viewers can stream movies direct from the internet, without the need for a computer. In a rare admission that Apple’s first attempts had failed, Mr Jobs conceded that customers had not taken to watching online video the way Apple had expected. (Financial Times)