Hulu Hops on the E-commerce Train with 'Shop Hulu'

By Daniel Frankel
( NextTV )
last updated

Hulu's move into selling tchotchkes branded with its original shows comes five months after the launch of Netflix.shop. Hulu says some of the initial proceeds will go to charity

Shop Hulu
(Image credit: Hulu)

Hulu has followed Netflix as the latest top SVOD service to get into e-commerce, announcing the launch of Shop Hulu. 

Just like Netflix.shop, which launched in June, Shop Hulu ( https://shop.hulu.com/) will feature a collection of tchotchkes branded with Hulu original shows. Hulu describes the merchandise as "exclusive limited editions of carefully selected apparel and lifestyle products inspired by Hulu Originals, popular titles in Hulu’s on-demand library, and Hulu branded swag."

For starters, Hulu is spotlighting an "Ugly Holiday Sweater" collection, with items branded by Hulu originals The Handmaid's Tale, Solar Opposites, The Great, Wu-Tang: An American Saga and Love, Victor. 

Hulu said all proceeds from the Ugly Sweater Collection sales generated between Nov. 30 and Dec. 31 will go to Feeding America. 

Hulu, which remains a joint venture between majority owner/controlling partner Disney and Comcast/NBCUniversal, is now reportedly profitable, with a third-quarter price increase upping revenue per user from $12.59 to $12.75.

Comcast has an agreement to sell its 33% share in the JV in 2024, with the enterprise valued at a floor price of $27.5 billion. Of course, if new offshoots like Shop Hulu prove successful, that will only add to Hulu's enterprise value. ■

Daniel Frankel
Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!