Netflix on Tuesday announced a deal with CBS Corporation that will bring classic CBS content to Netflix's "Watch Instantly" streaming library.
Starting in April, dozens of CBS shows will be available to all Netflix members, including "Medium" and "Flashpoint." Netflix will also add full seasons of "Frasier," "Family Ties," and "Cheers." For sci-fi fans, the streaming library will soon include "Star Trek" and "Twin Peaks." CBS is also contributing shows from the 60s, including "The Twilight Zone" and "The Andy Griffith Show."
Two companies signed a two-year, non-exclusive deal; CBS retains the right to extend it for another two years.
"More and more, people want to be able to access our programming on a wide variety of platforms. We are very pleased that the titles offered through this deal will now also be made available to a whole new community through the terrific and convenient service that Netflix offers," Scott Koondel, president of distribution for CBS Television, said in a statement. "We will continue to pursue additional non-exclusive distribution partners that are additive to our overall business."
"Netflix is now the only online premium subscription service with shows featured on all four broadcast networks and dozens of cable TV's biggest brands," said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix.
Indeed, CBS has often been the missing link when it comes to online content. Hulu has content from Fox, NBC, and ABC, as well as a variety of cable channels, but not CBS. In May 2010, Les Moonves, chief executive of CBS Corporation, said that Hulu was not economically viable. He pointed to his network's popular drama "CSI", which can cost up to $3 million per episode to produce. When it comes to advertising for that show, "I'm only getting pennies online compared to the dollars I'm getting on the network," he said.
In August, Moonves said that CBS was in talks with Hulu, but there have not yet been any announcements.
Last month, Boxee announced that users will be able to purchase full episodes from CBS of selected shows later this year. Last week, Netflix content was also added to the Boxee Box.
In December, Netflix expanded its deal with ABC to add shows from ABC Family to its "Watch Instantly" library, as well as more content from ABC network TV and the Disney Channel.