Google Inc has entered into preliminary negotiations to acquire online video portal Hulu, Los Angeles Times has reported, citing people familiar with the situation. Google is making a major push to add professionally produced content to its mix of user-created videos on YouTube.

Google Inc has hired industry veterans to help the internet search giant make inroads and strike deals. Hulu, owned by Walt Disney Co, News Corp, Comcast Corp's NBC Universal and Providence Equity Partners, offers free online access to prime time television shows.