Tweet
This, the HULU Plus startup and the coming of HDbaseT (HD video and power for LCD TV's both over standard network cables) makes one wonder just how long before the studios move most of their content online - HULU after all being a joint venture between NBC/Universal (General Electric), Fox/Fox Searchlight (News Group) and ABC/Disney TV (Walt Disney.) Get Warner/WB and CBS/Paramount/CW in there and....
Link....
Link....
Netflix challenging HBO and Showtime as it signs distribution deal with Relativity Media
If you can't join 'em, compete against 'em.
With top pay-cable channels HBO and Showtime and upstart Epix largely refusing to let Netflix stream movies during the long periods that they control the rights, the DVD subscription service is going around them, starting with independent film financing and production company Relativity Media.
The two companies have signed a five-year-plus agreement through which Relativity's movies will be distributed via Netflix's Internet streaming service instead of traditional runs on pay-cable channels, which start four-to-seven months after a DVD release.
It's the first time Netflix, which is aggressively trying to increase the amount of content on its Internet service in order to attract and retain subscribers, has signed such a deal with a Hollywood movie maker. Earlier this year it negotiated with Walt Disney Pictures to land similar rights, according to people close to the situation, but lost out to pay channel Starz.
"It would be my preference that the pay channels all supply us their films, but this is an example of the other way to get there, which is to compete with those guys," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix's chief content officer.
>
"This is very similar to the kind of deal that gets made with HBO or Showtime, but it has characteristics that we feel make this a better all around structure," said Relativity chief Ryan Kavanaugh.
A major difference is that Netflix will allow Relativity to sell and rent its movies through digital stores such as iTunes and Amazon.com as well as video game consoles. HBO and other pay channels forbid other methods of digital distribution during certain periods when they have exclusive rights.
If you can't join 'em, compete against 'em.
With top pay-cable channels HBO and Showtime and upstart Epix largely refusing to let Netflix stream movies during the long periods that they control the rights, the DVD subscription service is going around them, starting with independent film financing and production company Relativity Media.
The two companies have signed a five-year-plus agreement through which Relativity's movies will be distributed via Netflix's Internet streaming service instead of traditional runs on pay-cable channels, which start four-to-seven months after a DVD release.
It's the first time Netflix, which is aggressively trying to increase the amount of content on its Internet service in order to attract and retain subscribers, has signed such a deal with a Hollywood movie maker. Earlier this year it negotiated with Walt Disney Pictures to land similar rights, according to people close to the situation, but lost out to pay channel Starz.
"It would be my preference that the pay channels all supply us their films, but this is an example of the other way to get there, which is to compete with those guys," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix's chief content officer.
>
"This is very similar to the kind of deal that gets made with HBO or Showtime, but it has characteristics that we feel make this a better all around structure," said Relativity chief Ryan Kavanaugh.
A major difference is that Netflix will allow Relativity to sell and rent its movies through digital stores such as iTunes and Amazon.com as well as video game consoles. HBO and other pay channels forbid other methods of digital distribution during certain periods when they have exclusive rights.