Disney inches toward a deal with Hulu

The Walt Disney Co. is trying to get a leg up on that newfangled contraption known as teh internetz. The media conglomerate has allegedly restarted talks with Hulu about offering shows from its ABC network on the online video distributor owned by NBC Universal and News Corp.

ABC prime time shows like Lost, Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives are the main candidates for Hulu streaming. Disney is reportedly interested in an equity stake with Hulu resembling the equal ownership stakes of 45% held by NBC Universal and News Corp.

ABC was the first major broadcast network to offer prime time programs on the Internet, and though the TV giant reported in February that it has streamed more than 106 million episodes since last September, it seems to be realizing that upping its online presence can't hurt.

Got news tips for Paste? E-mail news@pastemagazine.com.