The Hulu board member is in and acting CEO Andy Forssell is out at the video-streaming company owned by three of the top TV networks. October 17, 2013 12:59 PM PDT (Credit: Hulu) As expected, the next-day-TV streaming site Hulu has named a Fox executive from its board to be its permanent chief executive. Mike Hopkins has been the president of distribution for Fox Networks Group since 2008 and has been a Hulu director since 2011. He replaces Andy Forssell, a longtime Hulu exec who is leaving the company. Forssell served as acting CEO since March and has worked on Hulu's content and distribution side since 2007, the year the site was founded. Related stories Hulu reportedly eyes Fox TV exec for CEO Hulu Plus joins the Google Chromecast crew Netflix most popular online TV service but cable still king Social TV app NextGuide moves to iPhone DirecTV customers: Your bill is going up again Hopkins' hire paves the way for a new chapter for Hulu, which has operated under a cloud of uncertainty for much of the last year as a stream of top executives left the company amid an effort by its owners to sell it. The departures included Jason Kilar, Hulu's previous permanent chief. Fox Networks is part of 21st Century Fox, one of Hulu's owners alongside NBCUniversal -- part of Comcast -- and Walt Disney. The owners ultimately decided to infuse ad-supported Hulu and subscription service Hulu Plus with $750 million, after they aborted the effort to sell the site -- again. The parent companies had attempted a sale in 2011 as well, only to keep Hulu in the fold. Now with $750 million in the bank and clarity on who is in charge, Hulu is on its most stable footing in recent memory, but it still faces the challenge of reaching a bigger audience -- it's viewership is dwarfed by Netflix's -- and finding its fit in the world of television online and off, as it straddles both. Reuters reported a week ago that Hopkins was in line for the job, citing people with knowledge of Hulu's plans.
The Hulu board member is in and acting CEO Andy Forssell is out at the video-streaming company owned by three of the top TV networks.
As expected, the next-day-TV streaming site Hulu has named a Fox executive from its board to be its permanent chief executive.
Mike Hopkins has been the president of distribution for Fox Networks Group since 2008 and has been a Hulu director since 2011. He replaces Andy Forssell, a longtime Hulu exec who is leaving the company. Forssell served as acting CEO since March and has worked on Hulu's content and distribution side since 2007, the year the site was founded.
Related stories
- Hulu reportedly eyes Fox TV exec for CEO
- Hulu Plus joins the Google Chromecast crew
- Netflix most popular online TV service but cable still king
- Social TV app NextGuide moves to iPhone
- DirecTV customers: Your bill is going up again
Hopkins' hire paves the way for a new chapter for Hulu, which has operated under a cloud of uncertainty for much of the last year as a stream of top executives left the company amid an effort by its owners to sell it. The departures included Jason Kilar, Hulu's previous permanent chief.
Fox Networks is part of 21st Century Fox, one of Hulu's owners alongside NBCUniversal -- part of Comcast -- and Walt Disney.
The owners ultimately decided to infuse ad-supported Hulu and subscription service Hulu Plus with $750 million, after they aborted the effort to sell the site -- again. The parent companies had attempted a sale in 2011 as well, only to keep Hulu in the fold.
Now with $750 million in the bank and clarity on who is in charge, Hulu is on its most stable footing in recent memory, but it still faces the challenge of reaching a bigger audience -- it's viewership is dwarfed by Netflix's -- and finding its fit in the world of television online and off, as it straddles both.
Reuters reported a week ago that Hopkins was in line for the job, citing people with knowledge of Hulu's plans.
