The New York Post has reported today that Netflix is prepared to pay up to $100,000 per episode for the ability to stream in-season TV shows, such as current episodes of hits like “Glee” and “The Office.”
If accurate, the move will position Netflix next to Hulu as the premier destination to view TV episodes from current running seasons.
In October, Netflix announced it had signed a deal with NBCU to bring full back catalogs of hit shows like “30 Rock,” “The Office,” and others to the streaming service, as well as a deal that gives Netflix the right to stream “Saturday Night Live” the day after it airs on TV.
Netflix recently began offering a streaming-only service for $8 per month in the U.S., the first time the company has offered a deal that does not include physical media rentals.
The company has spent close to $1 billion on streaming rights over the past years, placing a big bet on the future of streaming.
Result for: back catalog
The popular rapper Snoop Dogg has announced a deal with MTV that will bring the artist’s music to Rock Band.
Although no songs were specifically mentioned, Harmonix and MTV did note that there would be a “selection” of hits from Snoop’s back catalog.
The new deal marks the third time Snoop Dogg will appear in a video game following his appearance as a fighter in Def Jam Fight for NY and a cameo as himself in True Crime: Streets of LA.
Additionally, MTV will distribute Snoop’s next album, “Malice in Wonderland” and will be host to his new variety show entitled “Dogg After Dark.”
Result for: back catalog
Sega has announced they have signed a digital distribution deal with GamersGate, allowing many of the Japanese publisher’s PC titles to be available through the popular GamersGate portal.
The first games available will be Universe at War: Earth Assault and Football Manager 2009, two popular back catalog titles. Titles such as Condemned, Rome: Total War and OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast are set to hit the service soon as well.
“We look forward to welcoming such a well-established and celebrated partner to our growing online portfolio,” noted GamersGate CEO Theodore Bergquist. “With the addition of Sega’s excellent portfolio of games, GamersGate further strengthens its position as a leading digital download portal.”
