Previous seasons of COMEDY CENTRAL’s Emmy and Peabody Award-winning animated series “South Park” along with hit Nickelodeon shows like “iCarly” and “SpongeBob SquarePants” have joined the thousands of movies and TV episodes that Netflix subscribers can watch instantly on their computers and TVs. The agreement was announced today by Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX), the world’s largest online movie rental service, MTV Networks (MTVN), a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA.A and VIA.B), and South Park Digital Studios LLC, the joint venture between “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and COMEDY CENTRAL.
Comic geniuses Parker and Stone are the creative forces behind “South Park,” which features the misadventures of four foul-mouthed, troublemaking young boys in a small town nestled in the Colorado Rockies. The first nine seasons of “South Park” – 139 episodes in all – are now available to be instantly streamed from Netflix.
The streaming selections from Nickelodeon feature critically acclaimed shows that have helped make it the number-one cable network for more than 14 years. The shows include “Blues Clues” (Seasons 1 and 2), “Dora the Explorer” (Seasons 1 and 2), “iCarly” (Seasons 1 and 2), “True Jackson, VP” (Season 1) and “SpongeBob SquarePants” (Season 3). In total, more than 300 episodes of these and other favorites from Nickelodeon television networks, including The N’s “Degrassi,” are also now available to be instantly streamed from Netflix.
The deal marks an expansion of the relationship between Netflix and MTVN. Netflix currently offers a wide range of MTVN properties on DVD and obtained its first digital license from the company last year through an agreement that allowed Netflix to stream movies, documentaries and original programming from MTVN’s LGBT-oriented Logo network.
“We are pleased to expand our relationship with MTV Networks and be part of their innovative distribution strategy,” said Robert Kyncl, Vice President of Content Acquisition for Netflix. “We have a shared interest in providing fans expanded access to and strengthening MTV Networks’ key franchises, such as ‘South Park,’ ‘SpongeBob SquarePants,’ ‘Dora the Explorer,’ and others.”
“We want our content to be available to our diverse audiences wherever and whenever they’re spending time, and Netflix is a platform that continues to grow in popularity with kids, young adults and parents alike,” said Greg Clayman, Executive Vice President, Digital Distribution & Business Development, MTVN. “Netflix shares our commitment to consumer focus, and we’re thrilled to expand our partnership by making Cartman, True Jackson, SpongeBob and so many of our iconic characters and shows available to stream at Netflix.”
For one low monthly price, Netflix subscribers can get unlimited DVDs delivered to their homes quickly and can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed over the Internet to PCs, Intel-based Macs and TVs connected to any of a number of Netflix ready devices. Netflix subscribers can choose content to watch instantly from a growing library of more than 12,000 choices.
