NETFLIX: THE FUTURE OF TELEVISION?

In what could very well represent a window on the future of television, online film renter Netflix began streaming the Norwegian TV series Lilyhammer today (Monday). Netflix subscribers have the opportunity of watching as many episodes as they like whenever they like. In a statement, Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer, said, “Unlike any major [...]

NETFLIX STREAMING SERVICE GETTING A MAKEOVER (Updated)

With the major studios making it virtually impossible for Netflix to offer new movies to its streaming subscribers after its deal with Starz ends on February 28, the company seems poised for a makeover, increasingly offering original content. Although it launches the first of five planned original series on February 6 — Lilyhammer, starring Steven [...]

DISNEY/ABC IN STREAMING DEALS WITH NETFLIX, AMAZON

Not playing favorites, Disney/ABC Television Group, has renewed and expanded its streaming deals with Netflix and Amazon. They will allow the two online rivals to offer hundreds of Disney-produced TV shows from ABC-TV, ABC Family and the Disney Channel, raging from Desperate Housewives to Hannah Montana. “We are thrilled to broaden the scope and extend [...]

NETFLIX STREAMERS MOSTLY WATCHING TV SHOWS

While most Netflix subscribers who use its traditional DVD-by-mail service rent movies, most of those who use its streaming service rent TV shows, the company’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, has told the MIPCOM conference in Cannes. Britain’s Guardian newspaper quoted Sarandos as saying at the conference that Netflix’s recent exclusive deals to stream Mad [...]

NETFLIX AND DISNEY TEAM UP

Episodes from past seasons of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, and the entire saga of Lost will be available on Netflix’s streaming service, thanks to a deal between the online video renter and the Walt Disney Co. that was announced Wednesday. While several other ABC shows will be be making their debut on the service, [...]

TV SHOWS ACCOUNT FOR HALF NETFLIX’S STREAMS

Ted Sarandos, the chief content officer for online video renter Netflix, says half of its subscribers who rent from its Internet streaming library select television shows to watch versus just 20 percent who rent TV shows by mail. During an interview with Andrew Wallenstein of paidContent.com at an industry conference, Sarandos said that most of [...]

NETFLIX TO START STREAMING NEW FILMS

Until now, virtually all of the films available via Netflix’s streaming service have been older films akin to those that are usually found in the bargain bins at retailers. Now that is about to change. Netflix announced today its first “groundbreaking deal to stream first-run, studio-quality theatrical movies” to its subscribers. Ted Sarandos, chief content [...]