Hulu launches beta of its online video service, offering viewers a vast selection of streaming, on-demand, premium programming on a free, ad-supported basis. Hulu content includes full-length current and archived television programming as well as clips and an initial selection of feature films.

Hulu announced it has signed licensing deals with MGM and Sony Pictures Television, marking a major milestone in its mission to bring consumers the most comprehensive selection of premium video content online. A collection of over 40 television shows from Sony will be made available at Hulu.com, while full-length television shows and feature films from MGM will be available through the Hulu service. Hulu will also offer content from two leading broadcast networks (Fox and NBC), over 15 cable networks (Bravo, E! Entertainment, FX, Sci Fi, USA, and more), four of the largest Studios (Fox, MGM, Sony and Universal) and a broad array of independent, web-centric content providers. In addition, Hulu announced content partnerships with such leading programmers as Reveille, Smithsonian Networks, and World Wrestling Entertainment.

Hulu also announced it has closed a $100 million investment from private equity firm Providence Equity Partners, the leading global private equity firm specializing in media, entertainment, communications and information companies.

While Hulu.com is debuting in private beta, consumers will be able to also visit Hulu’s vast network of distribution partner websites: AOL, Comcast's Fancast.com, MSN, MySpace and Yahoo! to enjoy the extensive library of premium long-form and clip content. Together, these companies represent some of the most visited web destinations, bringing content to consumers where they are already spending much of their time. Each distribution partner features a unique, customized video player, ensuring a seamless viewing experience on all of their sites. Additionally, users can embed videos throughout the web, including their own site, in order to further extend distribution.

Hulu has partnered with a strong lineup of content providers including Bravo, CNET, Comedy Time, E! Entertainment Television, Ford Models, Fox Atomic, Fox Reality, FX Networks, FUEL TV, G4, Golf Channel, IGN, Movieola, National Geographic, Oxygen, SPEED, Sundance Channel, Sci Fi Network, The Fight Network, The Style Network, X17 Online, USA Network, Versus and more.

Dedicated to providing users with an enhanced online video experience, Hulu.com offers an elegant interface that makes content the central focus. At the same time, innovative features allow users to enjoy, share, and embed videos in new and exciting ways. The beta period will give users an opportunity to test the service and provide valuable feedback which will help to shape the Hulu service.

To sign up for the private beta, viewers can go to http://www.hulu.com.

Comedy Central has been working on the new home of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart". The website, thedailyshow.com, features video clips from every episode dating back to 1999, the year Jon Stewart took over the reins of "The Daily Show," and will be expanded to include the show's entire video history, totaling well over 13,000 high-quality clips. The Daily Show website can be found in our directory of websites.

Visitors to thedailyshow.com can watch video clips from last night's show, the week's best moments and videos spanning the full Jon Stewart era -- including guest interviews, correspondent segments and a myriad of other highlights, including many clips never seen since their original airing. In addition, the site will extend the users' experience with episode synopses, correspondent (past and present) profile pages, embeddable video, games, downloads, mobile content and merchandise. In addition thedailyshow.com will feature one-click bookmarking and link-sharing with sites such as Facebook, digg.com, del.icio.us and Fark.com.

With extensive tagging, themed playlists, specialized search tools and video-sharing capabilities, thedailyshow.com offers fans an enriched, cross- indexed experience that makes it simple to revisit popular past segments such as "This Week in God," "Even Stevphen," every Beth Littleford and Steve Carell piece, as well as all current and past correspondent pieces.

In addition to thedailyshow.com homepage offering last night's show clips, last week's segments, and upcoming guests, the site will also feature "The Wayback Randomizer," which will randomly pick a clip from any show 1999 to present with a click of a button; and "The Daily Show in the News," featuring press coverage that relates to show In other media.

Upcoming thedailyshow.com features will include detachable video playback, which will allow the user to both view a video clip and to continue browsing the site; a wiki that will empower fans to enhance the information on the site; user-generated playlists; and a public forum.