Hacking NetFlix

Netflix Signs Multi-Year Deal with Weinstein Company

Netflix announced a new multi-year deal with the Weinstein Company that will bring titles like The Artist, Undefeated, W.E., Coriolanus, and Bully to Netflix streaming exclusively within a year of the theatrical release.

"We couldn't be happier to be working again with Harvey and Bob, who have an unmatched track record of creating critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies," said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. "'The Artist' is a symbol of the Weinsteins' triumphant return to the top of the film business. Through deep passion, great taste and phenomenal vision, Harvey and Bob continue to surprise audiences and make history." 

"It is a fantastic coup for Netflix to acquire 'The Artist' and the package of additional titles," said TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein, "With this deal, a company that loves movies, Netflix, joins forces with a company that is built on that same love.  It's exciting that we can offer consumers a supremely convenient way to see the kinds of movies that made us want to be in this business in the first place."

If you're wondering how Netflix is spending the money they would have spent on Starz, this is a good start.

Netflix App Now Available on Playstation Vita

The PlayStation Blog announced that the Netflix app is now available for the PlayStation Vita.

You’ll also be excited to see the first wave of apps for Vita hit with Live Tweet, Flickr and Netflix arriving with today’s update. Starting today, you’ll be able to find all the above PS Vita experiences easily viewable from the PlayStation Store on your PS Vita and PlayStation 3. There is now a special PS Vita Games category on the PS3 PlayStation Store as well.

Does anyone own a PlayStation Vita?

The Full List of Expiring Starz Titles -- Watch Them Before February 29th

Netlfix said that they didn't renew the Starz deal because the renewal cost was too high and because the titles only accounted for a small percentage of streaming. So, if you want to see any of the Starz titles you only have a few days left. TV and Movies Now (by Tech of the Hub) has posted the list of expiring Starz titles, and also notes which ones are are available on Amazon Prime.

Netflix Brings Back DVD-Only Plan Signup

Netflix announced that they have brought back the DVD-only plan signup on the Netflix Blog.

Starting today, our DVD and Blu-Ray loving audience can now easily sign up for a DVD only plan.  Starting at just $7.99/month, you can enjoy around 100,000 titles on DVD.

We are also offering a 1 month free trial for eligible customers.

To join, simply visit https://dvd.netflix.com , enter your details, complete your sign-up, add some movies and/or TV shows to your Queue, and then we will rush you the next disc in your Queue.

Report: Netflix Has Ordered 13 Episodes of Jenji Kohan's "Orange is the New Black"

SFGate via TechCrunch reports that Netflix will soon announce that they have ordered episodes of Jenji Kohan's "Orange is the New Black."

Netflix Inc., ratcheting up competition with HBO, will produce 13 episodes of a new comedy series, "Orange Is the New Black," according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Netflix, the online movie and TV service based in Los Gatos, California, will have first rights to the series from HBO, the creator of "Weeds," said the person, who wasn't authorized to speak before the deal is announced. The show is based on the memoir of a communications executive who served time for drug-related charges in a minimum-security women's prison.

Netflix is also expected to announce 13 episodes of "Hemlock Grove," a horror series.  Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarndos has said that Netflix will offer 5 original streaming programs by mid-2013.

Thanks to Nathan for sending this in.

CBS in Discussions with Netflix to Produce Show

Businessweek reports that CBS CEO Leslie Moonvies said that they are in dicussions with Netflix to produce a show.

“We are talking to Netflix about a potential deal to produce a show for them,” Moonves said today on a conference call. “Until they are doing 22 hours a week of premium content, we do not look at them as a competitor, but rather another place to put our content.”

Supplying Netflix would give CBS, based in New York, new revenue as online video services order more exclusive shows. Netflix is is adding five original programs by 2013, including “Lilyhammer,” “House of Cards” and “Arrested Development,” said Steve Swasey, a spokesman for Los Gatos, California-based Netflix. He wouldn’t comment on CBS talks.

Netflix Helping Comcast's Bottom Line through NBC License Deal

AllThingsD noticed that Comcast showed an increase in licensing fees, and it looks like Netflix is responsible.

A good reminder of that comes from today’s Comcast earnings report, where the cable giant notes that its NBC broadcast unit posted a $305 million bump in licensing fees last year, “primarily the result of a licensing agreement for prior season and library content.”

Comcast doesn’t identify which agreement that was, but people familiar with the company say it was the “multi-year” renewal agreement that Netflix and NBC Universal announced last July. That deal gives Netflix subs access to shows like “The Office” and “Parenthood.”

Netflix Pays $9 Million Settlement in Video Privacy Case

The Washington Post reports that Netflix paid a $9 million settlement in a class action video privacy lawsuit. Netlfix has adjusted Q4 net income as a result of the settlement.

A lawsuit on behalf of Virginia residents Jeff Milans and Peter Comstock alleged Netflix had been breaking a 24-year-old law by retaining records of the DVDs and Internet video that its subscribers watched for up to two years after they cancelled their plans. The complaint, filed in San Francisco federal court, cited the Video Privacy Protection Act, which was passed in 1988 to prevent video rental services from sharing information about what their current and former customers have been watching.

The class-action lawsuit asserted Netflix violated a section of the law requiring personally identifiable information to be destroyed within a year “from the date that the information is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.”

Retaining former customers’ viewing records allows Netflix to restore their old video queues and make better recommendations if they reactivate their subscriptions.

As usual, Netflix denied any wrongdoing and the lawyers will get most of the money.

Thanks to Thomas for sending this in.

Netflix Updates Android App with Volume Controls & Facebook Sharing (Outside U.S.)

Netlfix updated the Android Netflix streaming app with the following changes:

1. Added Facebook sharing for Android phones and tablets in Latin America, Canada, the UK and Ireland
2. Added software volume controls for tablet users
3. Improved audio/video syncing for tablets and phones
4. Resolved split picture and flickering issues on select tablets

Thanks to Mike for sending this in.

Netflix & Hulu Are Looking to Launch in Russia

Broadband TV News reports that Netflix & Hulu are both looking into launching in Russia.

Representatives of Hulu and Netflix are understood to have held preliminary talks about the possibility of entering the Russian market.

Quoting the heads of several media companies, Vedomosti reports that those from Hulu, who met with Russian film studios and video services, included Johannes Larcher, the company’s SVP international.

They discussed such issues as the general state of the video market in Russia, demands for video advertising, the strategy of individual players and their financial situation.