Apple To Buy Hulu?

It is no secret that Apple managed to shatter investors expectations with its latest quarter’s earnings. With over $75 billion cash and securities at its disposal, there is no reason for Apple not to invest in companies that could strategically better its offering. It seems Hulu is on Apple’s shortlist. As Bloomberg reports, the company is in early talks to acquire Hulu and put more pressure on Netflix. Walt Disney Co., News Corp. and NBC Universal are offering those interested 5 years extension on program rights plus 2 years of exclusive access. That ought to sweeten the deal a whole lot.

Apple has been selling video content through iTunes for years. By bringing Hulu’s capabilities on-board, those offerings will get a whole lot better. Let’s not forget that Apple is at a crucial part of its history. This is exactly the time it needs to invest to sustain its growth and keep its competitors at bay. The recent acquisition of Nortel Network’s patents signals the company’s intentions.

Hulu would add a new element to their arsenal from a streaming and subscription standpoint,

said Brian Marshall, an analyst at Gleacher & Co. It would also put immense pressure on Netflix. Acquiring Hulu won’t be easy. Google and Amazon are desperate to seal the deal as well. Besides, Apple does not make big acquisitions too often (at least not lately). Then there is the question of how Hulu customers would respond to such a move. From the reactions this rumor has gotten, many of these folks are not too excited about it. This could be a game changer move for Apple though.