Posted Mon Jul 12, 2010 at 06:00 AM PDT by Dick Ward
Instead of hitting HBO, Starz, or one of the other premium channels, some movies will be going to Netflix first.
Companies like Blockbuster hold out the release window as one of the major downsides to the Netflix movie service. They're not wrong, it is a problem. But it's a problem Netflix is trying to solve. Thanks to a deal with Relativity Media, they're on their way.
The deal with Relativity Media is a huge step. It ensures that Netflix will be allowed to stream movies before or at the same time as movie channels like HBO start showing them. That means movies like 'Robin Hood, ' 'Get Him to The Greek,' and 'Grown Ups' will all be available to stream on Netflix just a few months after the DVD and Blu-ray release.
"Historically, the rights to distribute these films are pre-sold to pay TV for as long as nine years after their theatrical release," explains Netflix content officer Ted Sarandos. "Through our partnership with Relativity, these films will start to become available to our members just months after their DVD release."
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