A veteran Fox TV executive is the new chief executive officer of video streaming company Hulu, the Los Angeles Times reports. As expected, the company named Mike Hopkins to the post.

"Hopkins has served as president of distribution for Fox Networks since 2008. His appointment suggests that the companies that control Hulu may be interested in turning the popular service into a feature offered through cable and satellite distributors," the Times reports.

The story adds: "Such a move would expand Hulu’s reach to consumers. It also would help the three media company owners of Hulu — Walt Disney Co., 21st Century Fox and Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal — preserve their lucrative business partnerships with pay TV distributors."

In a statement, Anne Sweeney, co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, said: "Mike was simply the best candidate for the job. He has a strong understanding of programming, digital distribution and consumer behavior and a great vision for Hulu’s next chapter."

The Times adds: "Hopkins succeeds Andy Forssell, who has served as Hulu’s acting chief executive since March 2013. Forssell had led the company since the departure of Jason Kilar. Kilar was a fierce advocate of Hulu’s playing a role in reinventing television, and that vision for the service often put him in conflict with its owners."

We reported last week that Hulu was close to picking Hopkins for the post.

Mike Hopkins