SHOWTIME HALTING ORIGINAL SERIES ON NETFLIX

Netflix clearly faces a thorny issue: Why should movie studios or television networks provide their content to the online video renter when they can simply make them available on their own websites and keep all the rental profits themselves? That issue was underlined on Tuesday after it was announced that Netflix had extended its deal with CBS-owned Showtime but that it will no longer allow Netflix to stream any of Showtime’s first-run series, including Dexter and Californication. Only shows that are no longer airing will be available via Netflix. To view Dexter and Californication online, viewers will have to go to Showtime’s own website — and they’ll have to subscribe to the pay-TV channel.