Video streaming service Hulu offers new ad-free subscriptions

Viewers of streaming video service Hulu can now opt to skip commercials completely.

The online video destination, which is owned by ABC, Fox and NBC, is adding a $11.99 monthly subscription tier for commercial-free watching. Currently, viewers can watch some content for free with commercials or pay $7.99 monthly for limited commercials and access to recently released movies. Viewers of streaming video service Hulu can now opt to skip commercials completely.

Current $7.99 subscribers can opt to upgrade for $4 per month. "At Hulu, we pride ourselves on listening to our customers and giving them the best possible experience," said Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins said in a blog post on the Hulu site. "Many of our customers have asked us for a commercial free option, and so today we are excited to introduce just that. Providing more choice for consumers is fundamental to the Hulu experience, in addition to an array of choices in content and devices, our customers can now choose to watch with or without commercials.”

Hulu, which has about 9 million U.S. subscribers, has raised its profile recently. Earlier this week, it cemented a multi-year deal with premium pay-TV channel Epix to bring movies from studios such as Lionsgate, MGM and Paramount that include The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation and Selma to the streaming service in the coming months.

The relationship officially begins on Oct. 1, after Epix's current partnership with Netflix ends. At the outset, Hulu subscribers can watch movies such as Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Transformers: Age of Extinction and Star Trek: Into Darkness.

Back in May, Hulu also picked up the cancelled Fox comedy The Mindy Project.

Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider