A new streaming video service called Vessel is launching the US, started by former executives of the Hulu site. Vessel focuses on short-form videos, similar to YouTube, and promises early access to new clips for a subscription of USD 2.99 per month. In an introductory offer, the company is offering a free subscription for the first year for customers who sign up by 26 March, Cnet reports. After the exclusive period, usually around three days, the videos are free to view, with ads.
The site aims to attract a better variety of videos than YouTube by sharing 70 percent of advertising revenue and 60 percent of subscription revenue with content providers. The company was formed by Hulu's former CEO Jason Kilar and CTO Richard Tom. Its investors include Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos through his personal investment arm Bezos Expeditions, as well as venture capital firms Greylock Partners and Benchmark.
Some of its early-access content includes the morning talk show Good Mythical Morning, comic Shane Dawson, A+E programmes, a new series starring Alec Baldwin as a New York taxi driver and the food programme Tastemade. Vessel also has deals with Universal Music and Warner Music for early access to music videos.
