ABC‘s parent company Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday that they are entering a contract with the free online television source Hulu.  Hulu has a long list of highly rated shows under its belt which include Chuck, Heroes, Fringe, Family Guy, and The Simpsons.

ABC and their sister networks SoapNet and ABC Family will begin airing episodes soon according to Caroline McCarthy at CNET.com.  Shows will include Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs and more.

Disney’s Stake in Hulu

The Disney Corporation isn’t just contracting with Hulu for rights to air shows.  They are infiltrating their board.  Three upper level executives from Disney will join Hulu’s Board of Directors including Disney CEO Robert Iger.  Anne Sweeney and Kevin Mayer will be joining him.

So Hulu grows, Disney invades, and we reap the benefits as the reasons for paying for cable get smaller and smaller.