Google May Buy Hulu

The Los Angeles Times reports that Google is negotiating to purchase Hulu.

The bold push into the entertainment sphere signals Google's growing ambitions to snap up more mainstream programming that would entice online viewers — and those in the living room — to watch longer, while capturing an even bigger advertising payload from major brands. Google's YouTube is already planning to position itself to compete for viewing time with broadcasters and cable operators by launching television-like channels with professionally produced original content and user-created video. Buying Hulu, which is owned by Walt Disney Co., News Corp. and Comcast Corp.'s NBCUniversal, would deliver top-rated TV shows such as "Glee" and "Modern Family" and the major advertisers that pay top dollar to promote them.

Other tech giants are also reportedly interested.