Disney dances the Hulu

Disney movies and ABC TV shows are coming to Hulu, now that the Mouse House is buying a stake in the popular US online video site.

It's a honey of deal for Hulu, which is rapidly becoming the de facto repository of commercial internet television in the US. While the size of Disney's stake in Hulu wasn't officially disclosed, it's reportedly around 30 per cent according to the Wall Street Journal. That would put Disney at a similar standing with NBC Universal and News Corp., who launched the site as a joint venture in 2007.

Full-length TV shows from ABC would be available on Hulu, including "Lost," "Scrubs," Desperate Housewives," and "Grey's Anatomy." Walt Disney Studios will provide "popular library titles" to the site, although specifics weren't mentioned in the deal.

What the deal won't include are some of Disney's most popular cable franchises like "Hannah Montana," which the Mouse House is likely keeping off the net (for the time being) to keep cable operators happy.

CBS is the only major US TV studio not jumping on the Hulu bandwagon — although it offers programs on a non-exclusive basis on YouTube and rival internet TV service, TV.com.

The deal also leaves YouTube somewhat out in the cold. Google's video site inked a pact earlier this month to provide some Disney content on the YouTube, but not full-length TV shows. ®