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Netflix Snags Rights to Eight TV Series

Jan 7, 2013  •  Post A Comment

Netflix has signed a deal with Warner Bros. Television Group that gives the online-streaming service the rights to complete previous seasons of eight TV series, Deadline.com reports.

The series are “Revolution,” “Political Animals,” “Longmire,” “666 Park Avenue,” “The Following,” “Chuck,” “Fringe” and “The West Wing.” In addition, the companies may make similar agreements on future shows, the piece notes.

“This is the clearest sign yet of the thaw in the companies’ once-frosty relationship — and could intensify industry concerns about whether Netflix will cannibalize ad-supported TV,” the report notes.

“The Following” premieres this month on Fox.

“Warner reserved the right to sell the programs into traditional syndication windows, via electronic sell-through services and on a catch-up basis for recently aired episodes,” the piece reports. “But Netflix has exclusive rights to subscription streaming.”

Calling the deal “unprecedented,” Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said the pact “is making the production economics right for the continued creation of the kind of compelling serialized dramas and thrillers that our members love.”

The report adds: “Warner Bros. Television Group President Bruce Rosenblum says that the agreement recognizes that subscription VOD ‘has become an important window for our serialized dramas,’ especially for viewers who want to catch up with a series. ‘We continue to adapt our business models to include SVOD when it makes sense for the long-term value of each show and are thrilled to have Netflix as one of our distribution partners.’”

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