It’s the first time that one of Hollywood’s major studios has sold the coveted rights to Netflix instead of a premium TV network such as HBO, Starz and Showtime. DreamWorks Animation SKG (DWA) licensed the pay-TV rights to its movies to Netflix last year under a deal that begins in 2013, but those movies don’t wield the same box-office appeal as Disney, whose stable includes Pixar Animation and Marvel.
Starz currently holds the rights to Disney’s movies under a deal that expires in 2015.
Beginning in 2016, Netflix will be able to show Disney movies about seven months after they leave theaters.
Huge news. This pretty much cements Netflix as the go-to streaming service for parents.
I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, if it’s -going- to be exclusive, I’d rather it be exclusive to Netflix, which I pay for and occasionally watch. On the other hand, exclusivity is anticonsumer bullshit.
They got a separate deal for catalog stuff that starts now.
Made me chuckle to see that they are taking this away from them after I’m sure Starz was thinking how they had taken it to Netflix by yanking their content from them.
Ya know, I couldn’t care less for their exclusive, I want to know if they got a comprehensive deal. If they’re going to put it all up for consumption then kudos. If they’re going to dribble it out to keep the hook set then fuck 'em.
To a degree, Disney has already changed their strategy, led be Pixar and the release of The Avengers with exclusive on-disc only content. And not just the usual commentary and behind the scenes, Disney is going to be putting short films on practically every disc they release. Sure, you might be able to watch the movie on Netflix, but you won’t get to watch the short films unless you own the discs.
