As predicted a few weeks ago in our Voice Mail show, Netflix is moving forward to begin offering original content on its streaming service.
The content provider is currently in talks to add a remake of House of Cards to its line-up. The series would be a two-season, 26-episode remake of the original with director David Fincher and star Kevin Spacey.
The news was first reported by Hollywood blog Deadline.com which said the deal could be worth $100 million. That figure was described as “way off mark” by a Reuters source.
If Netflix wins rights to a high profile show like this it will likely need to outbid the likes of major players like HBO, Showtime or AMC.
With just over 20 million subscribers it is still way behind a powerhouse like HBO which has thousands of hours of original programing and more than 28.2 million subscribers, according to SNL Kagan, a research firm.
But a move to option original programing will change the way Netflix is perceived in Hollywood. Up till now it has been seen as a safe way for studios to make money from library TV shows and older movies. But some executives have worried that Netflix’s online service priced at less than $10 a month could undermine the cable pay-TV business model.
I would like to see Netflix go after (meaning: sign up) some of the independent film makers that are producing excellent content on limited budgets.
Then, of course, they would likely screw their work up by demanding control over content.
Recently I notice I have a hard time finding stuff for my DVD and/or Instant queue. I try movies I never heard of, or anime that turns out to be hit and miss, and seldom come upon a gem.
Contrast that with the internet where I can pretty much throw a dart and find decent stuff to hold my attention (too much of my attention).