Netflix Gets Loads of TV Re-Runs From NBC Universal, More Deals to Come?
Netflix just keeps getting bigger and bigger, and better and better. Cable TV isn't going anywhere soon, but when it does, it will have Netflix to thank for pushing it out of the way. Netflix, and NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution today announced an expanded license agreement through which Netflix members can instantly watch a selection of broadcast series from the NBC television network and – for the first time on Netflix – content from some of NBC Universal's popular cable channels.
The deal includes prior season episodes from NBC, USA, Syfy and Saturday Night Live re-runs, and the new content will be available for viewing starting next week. The exact details of what's being added is below (it's a lot!), but one thing is clear: Netflix isn't laying around satisfied. They're still grasping for new users, and they're still making deals in order to ensure that happens. More importantly, each deal similar to this that Netflix lands makes the next one so much easier to negotiate. It's always hard to crack the first egg, but once media companies begin to get friendly with Netflix, like we said, cable providers may have to rethink their offerings.
The deal includes prior season episodes from NBC, USA, Syfy and Saturday Night Live re-runs, and the new content will be available for viewing starting next week. The exact details of what's being added is below (it's a lot!), but one thing is clear: Netflix isn't laying around satisfied. They're still grasping for new users, and they're still making deals in order to ensure that happens. More importantly, each deal similar to this that Netflix lands makes the next one so much easier to negotiate. It's always hard to crack the first egg, but once media companies begin to get friendly with Netflix, like we said, cable providers may have to rethink their offerings.
Netflix and NBC Universal Announce Agreement to Stream Prior Season Cable and Broadcast TV Series New to Netflix Members
Deal Includes Prior Season Episodes from NBC, USA and Syfy Series As Well as Day-After Broadcast Of "Saturday Night Live"
NEW YORK and BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) and NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution today announced an expanded license agreement through which Netflix members can instantly watch a selection of broadcast series from the NBC television network and – for the first time on Netflix – content from some of NBC Universal's popular cable channels.
The multi-year deal kicks off next week and continues the relationship between Netflix and NBC Universal.
The agreement adds significantly to the growing selection of movies and TV episodes that can be streamed instantly from Netflix with memberships starting at $8.99 a month. Among the highlights, Netflix members will be able to instantly watch:
* Episodes from every season of NBC's signature comedy franchise "Saturday Night Live," including day-after broadcast of the upcoming 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons plus hundreds of episodes from the first 35 years of "SNL."
* Every episode from the last season of the multiple Emmy® Award-winning series "30 Rock," "The Office" and "Law & Order: SVU," as well as earlier seasons of those shows renewed for streaming from Netflix under the current deal.
* All prior seasons – and eventually next year's final season – of "Friday Night Lights," the small-town drama surrounding high-school football in Dillon, Tex.
* All prior seasons of USA Network hits "Psych," the comedy featuring James Roday as a fake psychic who solves crimes with his best friend, Dule Hill; the drama "In Plain Sight," starring Mary McCormack as a U.S. Marshal in New Mexico; as well as all seasons of "Monk," starring Emmy® Award and Golden Globe® Award winner Tony Shalhoub in the title role. Prior seasons of all three shows are available to watch instantly at Netflix for the first time.
* More than 75 prior season episodes of Syfy's mainstay "Battlestar Galactica," as well as prior seasons of the network's popular series' "Destination Truth" and "Eureka" – all streaming from Netflix for the first time.
"We are very pleased to continue our successful relationship with Netflix," said Frances Manfredi, executive vice president and general sales manager of cable and non-theatrical sales for NBC Universal Domestic TV Distribution, who forged the deal. "We applaud Netflix for recognizing the value of content like 'SNL,' 'Friday Night Lights,' 'Monk,' and 'Battlestar Galactica' to their subscribers."
"This agreement adds meaningfully to the wide variety of content that can be streamed from Netflix and breaks new ground in our relationship with NBC Universal," said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix.
About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution
The NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution division is responsible for the distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television within the U.S. and Canada. This includes distribution of current and library film and television product, formats and non-scripted programming in the pay, free, and basic cable television markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs, theatrical and TV movie packages.
Current first-run strip syndicated programming from NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution includes "Access Hollywood," "Access Hollywood Live," "The Jerry Springer Show," "Maury" and "The Steve Wilkos Show." Current first-run weekly syndicated programming includes "The Chris Matthews Show," "The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo" and the off-network distribution of "30 Rock," "Friday Night Lights," "House," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Monk," "The Office," "The Real Housewives" franchise and much more.
