Okay Geek Farm
Netflix and Starz parting ways, taking its movies with it
Gabby Valenzuela
Streaming has come a long ways since the initial days Netflix went live with its streaming content. C and B Movies were pretty much all they had to offer, that is until people like Starz came in and filled the void with films such as Unbreakable. Since then there’s been a snowball effect in which studio after studio has made a deal with Netflix to allow their content to be seen by the masses. But now it looks like Starz is having second thoughts and not renewing its contract with the streaming service.
According to a statement made by Starz yesterday:
“This decision is a result of our strategy to protect the premium nature of our brand by preserving the appropriate pricing and packaging of our exclusive and highly valuable content. With our current studio rights and growing original programming presence, the network is in an excellent position to evaluate new opportunities and expand its overall business.”
The company is responsible for managing the tv rights to some pretty hefty properties by Sony and Disney, thereby being one of the main players who helped Netflix get off the ground with its streaming service 3 years ago…
… a fact restated by Netflix in a following statement shortly after Starz’ decision to call its quits:
“Starz has been a great content partner since 2008 and we are thankful for their support.
While we regret their decision to let our agreement lapse next February, we are grateful for the early notice of their decision, which will give us time to license other content before Starz expires.
While Starz was a huge part of viewing on Netflix several years ago because it was some of the only mainstream content Netflix offered, over the years Netflix has spent more and more licensing great TV shows from all four broadcast networks and many cable networks, and we have licensed 1st run movies from Relativity, MGM, Paramount, Lionsgate and others. Because we’ve licensed so much other great content, Starz content is now down to about 8% of domestic Netflix subscribers’ viewing. As we add even more content in Q4, we expect Starz content to naturally drift down to 5-6% of domestic viewing in Q1. We are confident we can take the money we had earmarked for Starz renewal next year, and spend it with other content providers to maintain or even improve the Netflix experience.
We have tremendous respect for the Starz creative team, and we look forward to someday licensing some of their original or licensed content.”
How will this affect your usual visit to Netflix on your Roku, PC, iPad, or home game console? Well, if you make a quick trip to Netflix’s home page and go to the “Starz Play” section you’ll see a full list of all the movies that’ll be taken away as soon as their contract expires. Outside the first two pages everything beyond is just seemingly taking up space, so they will hardly be missed now that shows like Mad Men have become available on the service.
