Netflix is expanding its digital content offerings thanks to a new deal with Discovery Communications.
The flagship channel as well as TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery and Science and Military channels are included in the deal encompassing such popular series including as Man vs. Wild, Sister Wives and River Monsters.
It does not include content from OWN or The Hub, which are joint ventures with Oprah Winfrey and toy-maker Hasbro, respectively.
Financial terms were not disclosed. But the deal marks something of a departure for Discovery Communications, which heretofore has not widely offered full episodes of its series and specials online.
“With television shows playing an ever more important role for Netflix, Discovery is one our finest suppliers of top quality programming,” Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement. “We look forward to bringing our members the wide range of the additional episodes and series covered in this deal.”
Great step in the right direction but until I can watch newly released movie content I’ll not be giving any of my cash to the streaming service. Having a huge library of content that I have already seen is not something I will pay for monthly.
Excellent news!
When I found the rather large library of network TV shows available through Netflix streaming, I seriously downgraded my DirecTV package. We already rent movies through RedBox and Blockbuster Express and, honestly, I’d rather watch an entire season of a TV show (e.g., Lost, Bones, etc.) all at once rather than watching one episode per week. And, the selection of children’s programming is quite good as well.
The only stuff we ever watch on our TV are live sports and the local news broadcasts once in awhile.
I don’t get the disproportionate reaction to the change in price structure. They were offering something for free IN ADDITION to what they charged for, and logic tells you it got expensive. I see nothing wrong with saying “Hey, we have to start charging for this”.
I know people have said they have or will cancel, but I have been looking at the alternatives, and none of them are quite there. Perhaps I am singular in my thinking, but for the money Netflix offers a heck of a lot value, even under the new pricing structure.
As for exhausting content, and again I might be unique in this, there is still a lot of stuff I have not seen. But it goes beyond that. People buy movies to own so they can watch them when the mood strikes them. I know many people, me included who indulge in multiple viewing of the Star Trek series, Firefly, various comedy series, movies, etc.
Sure, I could buy them, and I own some of them, but given the choice I opt to stream them as oppose to go get the DVD, load it, etc. For one I risk damaging the disks, and yes, I backed them up, but that adds to the effort and storage issue. Plus they are not very portable.
I see this mostly as an emotional issue with people, part of their “I am entitled to free stuff!!” mentality which is so pervasive in today’s society. Certainly I have yet to hear an adult argument as to why people who where members, enjoyed the service, now balk at the extra money it costs.
For less than half the price of my wife and I going to see a movie at the theater we have access to a pretty impressive library.
Finally, I understand some people won’t think it’s worth the money, or it does not fit their needs . . . fine, cancel. But stop whining.
Hmmm . . . I should write an editorial of the subject. Oh wait . . . I just did.
Everything I hear coming from the whiners of the Netflix snafu is about no movie cocntent. Well, when someone makes a movie worth watching, I’ll complain. I love the streaming conent. It’s loaded with good TV shows and documentaries. This deal just makes the selection better.