Hulu signs deal to stream previous seasons of popular shows, enabling 'binge watching'

Hulu, known for streaming recently aired television episodes, will now stream past seasons of popular shows, in an attempt to take on Netflix and Amazon.

The video-streaming company has signed a deal with NBC Universal and 21st Century Fox that will give it access to old seasons of shows on the two networks, according to the Wall Street Journal. Past seasons of The Mindy Project and Brooklyn Nine-Nine will be among the new offerings.

Companies, like Netflix and Amazon's Prime Instant Video, have learned that customers like to watch back-to-back episodes or binge watch episodes. This increases engagement and likelihood of customers staying with the service.

Hulu seems to want a share of this binge action, and will attempt to attract customers away from Netflix and Amazon.

"The value of the current season to us has a limit," Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins told the Journal on Wednesday.

The deal with Comcast, who own NBC Universal, should not come as a surprise as Comcast owns a part of Hulu. NBC has said that it did not give Hulu preferential treatment during the bidding process for its past seasons.

[Wall Street Journal] [CNET]