Rich Fiscus
10 Aug 2010 13:26
Netflix has announced yet another licensing agreement for their Watch Instantly streaming video service. The deal with cable EPIX will give them streaming rights to movies from Paramount, MGM & Lionsgate.
EPIX is owned by Studio 3 Partners, which in turn is jointly owned by Paramount, MGM & Lionsgate. They offer a premium cable channel and VOD service featuring new releases and a selection of catalog titles from the three studios.
Movies currently offered on EPIX include Iron Man, Star Trek, Saw VI & the entire Indiana Jones series, as well as classics like The Godfather & the original version of The Thomas Crown Affair.
Right now EPIX is only available from a handful of smaller cable companies plus Verizon FiOS & Dish Network. Offering their movies through Netflix
EPIX subscribers who also have internet service from their TV provider already get access to EpixHD.com, where they can stream all the titles available through the premium cable channel in 720p, as well as some titles not available through the TV offering. Dish Network customers get access to the same content through DishOnline.
The EpixHD service will remain in place, with Netflix getting exclusive streaming rights starting 90 days after their EPIX premier.
This is a major coup for Netflix since streaming rights for movies are traditionally tied to broadcast rights. In the past this has made them reliant on partners like Starz for access to much of their more popular streaming content.
Combined with the ever increasing importance of Watch Instantly in attracting subscribers, this could mark a major turning point in the way movies are licensed. At the very least it's an indication that Netflix is seen as the streaming equivalent of popular cable channels.
While streaming is still relatively insignificant in terms of revenue, deals like this, as well as others recently announced with Relativity Media and Warner Brothers are another step toward expanding into direct competetition with cable TV.