Twentieth Century Fox (Fox) and Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) today announced that the companies have amended and expanded their non-exclusive digital distribution agreement, adding additional titles from Fox’s extensive television and movie library.
This new multi-year agreement allows Netflix to provide its members with instant access to a greater variety of programming, including additional television series such as the first season of the Emmy-award winning “Glee” and the first two seasons of the cult favorite “Sons of Anarchy” beginning on April 1, with additional seasons being added annually.
In addition, library series such as “Ally McBeal” and “The Wonder Years” will stream instantly for the first time from Netflix. Fox will also make a number of library movies available to Netflix after their premium pay television license periods conclude.
“Our expanded non-exclusive streaming arrangement with Netflix maintains Fox’s flexibility to effectively manage both the content we offer, and the appropriate window of availability relative to our other distribution partnerships,” said Peter Levinsohn, president of new media and digital distribution for Fox Filmed Entertainment. ”We look forward to working with Netflix and our other partners to further enhance the choices available to audiences.”
“We’ve worked closely with Fox for the last year to provide our members access to some of the studio’s greatest TV franchises and library of both contemporary and classic movies,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer. ”Our members love TV shows, and making such pop-culture hits like ‘Glee’ and ‘Sons of Anarchy’ available to watch instantly reinforces our commitment to provide them a wider selection of programs.”
Previously, the streaming agreement with Fox made a wide variety of prior seasons of hit TV shows available instantly from Netflix, including “Lie to Me,” “24,” “Prison Break,” “Arrested Development,” “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “X-Files” and many more.
Now in its sophomore season, “Glee” is a biting musical comedy about a group of eager and ambitious students who strive to outshine their singing competition to win Nationals, while navigating the cruel halls of McKinley High. The show boasts critical acclaim, a loyal fan base of “GLEEks,” two Platinum and two Gold albums, more than 21 million song downloads, the record for the most titles on the Billboard Hot 100 by a non-solo act, an incredible 19 Emmy nominations and four Emmy Awards.
“Sons of Anarchy,” an adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones, explores a notorious outlaw motorcycle club’s desire to protect its livelihood while ensuring that their simple, sheltered town of Charming, California remains exactly that. Charming. ”SOA” is now in its third season on FX.