Rich Fiscus
29 Nov 2007 21:48
On Monday Netflix, Inc. and NBC Universal announced a deal that will make Netflix "the exclusive SVOD outlet" for hit series Heroes. Since the beginning of the second season, episodes have been available on the online DVD rental leader's Watch Instantly service a day after airing on NBC.
"We are pleased to expand our relationship with NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution and be part of their innovative distribution strategy," said Robert Kyncl, Vice President of Content Acquisition for Netflix. "We have a shared interest in granting fans expanded access to and strengthening the network's key franchises."
"We are excited to establish Netflix as a part of our off-network syndication strategy for 'Heroes', " said Frances Manfredi, Executive Vice President & General Sales Manager, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. "This deal reflects the changing landscape of the entertainment marketplace and our objective of finding new buyers that complement our traditional customers."
This year has seen the introduction and steady growth of the Watch Instantly service, which makes a small, but growing, selection of movies offered for rent on DVD available for Streaming across the internet. Meanwhile competitor Blockbuster, despite backing away from a more aggresive strategy to compete with Netflix, has purchased their own online movie service called Movielink, and is also in the process of finding new ways to deliver video to consumers.
Source: Press Release