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Joost, Hulu, and the Struggle to Cre...   Frank Quattrone, Back in the Tech Mo...
Mar 17 2008 6:02PM EDT

NBC's Jeff Zucker on Hulu, Joost, Internet TV

As I posted earlier, my magazine story about Joost is up here on Portfolio.com. In the story is a quote from NBC chief Jeff Zucker -- Hulu is a joint venture of Fox and NBC. But, as you know, most of any interview gets left on the cutting room floor. I thought it was worth sharing a few of Zucker's other comments.

zucker_f.jpg

On why NBC decided to back Hulu instead of just putting its content on sites started by others, such as Joost: We wanted to be able to have some control over how our quality content was presented and distributed. The key thing advertisers and consumers are looking for is ease of use and a safe haven. (So) we wanted to give it a go on our own. There are many good distributors out there but unless you have a large voice and big stake, you can't make sure.

On what he means by a "safe haven": Advertisers don't want their ads running next to a cat on a skateboard. This gives advertisers the safety of knowing their ads will run in a quality environment.

On whether NBC and Fox are trying to get other networks aboard on Hulu: We did. We expect over time others will come in. We're talking to ABC and CBS and Viacom. They've all been very positive. We're optimistic they'll be a part of it.

On NBC's strategy regarding the Web: We're looking to use online to extend the brands we already have. It's been very successful. And then growing mostly organically or with ventures like Hulu where we can distribute our content and make it ubiquitous.

On Joost in particular: We're not that comfortable with it. The guys behind it have a great track record. We've enjoyed our conversations with them. We felt we had the opportunity to do it ourselves and have greater control over our own destiny.

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