“Hell’s Kitchen” and “Monkey Life” head for Hulu

July 19, 2011 by Adam Benzine

Hell's Kitchen

Gordon Ramsay-fronted culinary series Hell’s Kitchen (pictured) and wildlife series Monkey Life are both heading to Hulu, after respective rights holders Debmar-Mercury and MoMedia International both inked deals with the U.S. video-on-demand portal.

Lionsgate-owned Debmar-Mercury will make the first eight seasons of Fox series Hell’s Kitchen, produced by ITV Studios America and starring celebrity chef Ramsay, available exclusively for digital on the Hulu Plus subscription service beginning today.

Current episodes from season nine and a rotating selection of library episodes will also be available on the free, ad-supported Hulu service.

Meanwhile, Endemol-backed MoMedia International has also inked a deal to distribute its film and TV content through Hulu, starting this week. Monkey Life, a 20-part wildlife series from UK indie Primate Planet Productions, will be the first upload – the series originally premiered in the UK in 2008.

In a joint statement, Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein said: “Digital networks are an important and complementary part of the overall distribution mix for a top-tier series like [Hell’s Kitchen]. Increased programming demand from digital video services benefits not only producers and distributors, but viewers who gain access to quality shows on screens of all sizes.”

“We see Hulu as a fantastic way to monetize international content in the U.S.,” said MoMedia’s CEO Lucas Bertrand about his company’s arrangement with the portal. “We look forward to continuing to deliver great film and TV to U.S. audiences.”

Tags: Debmar-Mercury, Endemol, Gordon Ramsay, Hell's Kitchen, Hulu, Lionsgate, MoMedia International, Monkey Life