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CBS to produce content for Netflix?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 15 Feb 2012 7:16 User comments (3)

CBS to produce content for Netflix? CBS has confirmed it is in talks to produce a show directly for Netflix.
Says CEO Leslie Moonves: "We are talking to Netflix about a potential deal to produce a show for them. Until they are doing 22 hours a week of premium content, we do not look at them as a competitor, but rather another place to put our content."

Netflix will be producing five original programs by 2013. The first of which, "Lilyhammer," is available now.

Later this year, Netflix will debut "House of Cards," starring Kevin Spacey and directed by David Fincher. Netflix had to outbid rivals like HBO and offer major incentives to the companies behind the political drama which is expected to be a hit. Additionally, the fourth season of the cult classic "Arrested Development" will be hitting the service in early 2013.

The last two shows have not been purchased yet, but they are expected to be the prison comedy "Orange Is the New Black" and the thriller series "Hemlock Grove." Says Netflix spokeman Steve Swasey: "By 2013, we'll have five original content programs. We're dabbling in original content with a pretty good mix of dramas, comedies and quirky series. We're excited about it."

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3 user comments

116.2.2012 12:40

Kinda cool. I rather like the idea of exclusive programming on Netflix. Don't watch my Netflix much but if the show is cool enough.....perhaps others will do the same and then we might be able to get the networks to put shows like Big Bang Theory, The River, Desperate Housewives, etc on this and I can ditch cable.

216.2.2012 13:24

My only problem with any of this is that it's boiling down to regular TV becoming like that of the professional sporting events. If they don't sell ALL the tickets to the game, they won't broadcast the game locally. Which doesn't matter, even if I live 300 miles or 2.5 hours away.

I'm not going to whine 100% about getting every show, that's ludicrous, but it seems it's getting close to a point where the original broadcasting stations/studios are becoming simply studios & the web, cable & satellite are now the broadcasters.

I.e., the method in which we receive our content is going to have to come out of pocket. I mean, theoretically we all pay for the out of air programming in a manner of speaking with tax dollars & advertising as it is at the moment.

But knowing the po-dunk markets like I do, being bought up by bufu huge Texas communication companies, linking all their programming to prearranged digital feeds & packaged Avid Air-play spread sheets, where one guy is paid to take care of 40 stations (in 6 states) from one computer room... Why do you think you keep seeing 5 seconds of one commercial starting up then to be cut off by another?

My point is (other than on top of my head), metropolitan areas will still have their local affiliates, but outlying areas are going to go dead & big business won't see fit to upkeep the towers. They're not doing it now, so why down the road? Most are just about there now. Even the Weather Channel has to be done through a paid service, thus making televised emergency broadcasts (later) a mute point. Not to mention that radio (being owned by the same conglomerates) is nearly as dead too.

Just from a safety issue... Kinda wondering where we're gonna be when the lights go out? Not that I'm worried about how I'm going to tune into NCSI or Bill Maher...

324.2.2012 15:48

A very logical business decision. Can't say I'm surprised. Go for it netflix ;)
I don't even watch TV anymore. Cable, satellite, they're all useless to me. The Internet, and my netflix account are all I need :p For the most part...

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