CBS, Netflix sign two-year streaming agreement

Andre Yoskowitz
22 Feb 2011 18:36

Netflix and CBS have signed a non-exclusive, two-year licensing agreement that will give Netflix subscribers a chance to view older and some newer CBS content via the Watch Instantly streaming service.
For the "classic" library, CBS is making Frasier, Family Ties, Star Trek, the original Hawaii Five-O, Twin Peaks and The Twilight Zone available.

In the current content, Medium and Flashpoint are now available to Netflix users.
Says Scott Koondel, president of distribution, CBS Television Distribution (via THR):

We are very pleased that the titles offered through this deal will now also be made available to a whole new community through the terrific and convenient service that Netflix offers. We will continue to pursue additional non-exclusive distribution partners that are additive to our overall business.

Adds Netflix chief content office Ted Sarandos:

Netflix is now the only online premium subscription service with shows featured on all four broadcast networks and dozens of cable TV's biggest brands.

Earlier in the day, Amazon started their own rival streaming platform, which is free to all Amazon Prime members and has 5000 titles right at launch.