The CBS deal brings to Netflix the global phenomenon "CSI." Starting in October, when it returns for a ninth year, current season episodes of the original "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" can be instantly streamed at Netflix. Beginning this week, current season episodes of the hit spin-offs "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: NY" join the roster. The CBS agreement includes two additional current hit shows, "NCIS," which dramatizes the Naval Criminal Investigative Service of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, and the FBI drama "Numb3rs," from producers Ridley and Tony Scott. "NCIS" returns for its sixth season this week and "Numb3rs" is back for a fifth season in October.
The agreement for Disney Channel content centers on three of the Channel's original series — "Hannah Montana," "Wizards of Waverly Place," and Disney Channel's newest original series, "The Suite Life on Deck," a spin-off of the hit, Emmy-nominated "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," starring fan favorites Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Brenda Song and Phill Lewis and introducing Debbie Ryan. The series premieres Friday, September 26. "Wizards of Waverly Place" and "The Suite Life on Deck" can be streamed instantly at Netflix beginning this week, 24 hours after each episode's initial broadcast. Disney Channel's smash hit comedy series "Hannah Montana," starring multi-talented Miley Cyrus, will be available online at Netflix beginning this November. Brokered by Disney-ABC Domestic Television, the deal represents the first Netflix digital license for Disney-ABC Television Group content since Netflix launched the instant streaming component of its service 18 months ago and is a significant addition to the company's lineup of studio and network partners.
"We are thrilled to enter into these relationships with CBS and Disney Channel and build upon their innovative distribution strategies," said Robert Kyncl, vice president of content acquisition for Netflix. "We have a shared interest in granting fans expanded access to and strengthening the networks' key shows."
The agreements with CBS and Disney Channel also add catalog shows to the library of choices that can be watched instantly at Netflix. Some 500 episodes from Disney Channel's kid-driven, family-inclusive programming library, including previously aired episodes of "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," "Wizards of Waverly Place" and "Hannah Montana," as well as episodes of the popular animated series "The Replacements," "Lilo & Stitch: The Series," "The Emperor's New School" and many others, will come online to Netflix beginning in 2009.
Some 350 CBS episodes covered in the deal include prior seasons of the three "CSI" series and "Numb3rs," the first two seasons of the popular "Jericho" series and, among others, episodes from TV classics such as "Star Trek," "MacGyver," and "Family Ties." The catalog episodes will come online this fall.
