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 TV premiere before it, we are debuting all eight episodes of the first season at the same time today,” he continues. “Conventional TV strategy would be to stretch out the show to keep you coming back every week. We are trying to give our members what they want; Choice and control.” The series is being launched only weeks before the February 28 end of Netflix’s deal with Starz, which has provided most of the new movie content for the streaming service. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Times observed that while movies once comprised nearly all of Netflix’s streaming service, television shows accounted for 60 percent in the fourth quarter. Topping the list of favorites, Sarandos said, are serialized dramas that often do poorly in syndication but which subscribers to the streaming service are fond of watching in marathon sessions.