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Cable Technology Feature Article

February 23, 2011

Netflix and CBS Team Up for More Streaming Content

By Michelle Amodio, TMCnet Contributor


Netflix will soon be expanding upon its offerings of streaming TV shows, thanks to a new deal with CBS.

In a two-year, non-exclusive agreement, Netflix subscribers will be able to watch shows from CBS’s lineup including “Medium,” “Frasier” and “Cheers,” as well as “Star Trek” and “Twin (News - Alert) Peaks.”

CBS retains an option to extend the agreement for up to two additional years. Terms of the deal as well as financial information were not disclosed to the public.

"This deal recognizes the increasing value of our content in today's marketplace," said Scott Koondel, President of Distribution, CBS Television Distribution in a press release.  "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. We will continue to pursue additional non-exclusive distribution partners that are additive to our overall business."

The deal does not include many of CBS’s current television shows due the network being “wary of potentially hurting the rerun value of the shows on its schedule,” as reported by the LA Times. Only two recent programs -- "Medium" and "Flashpoint" were cited as part of the deal.

"We are thrilled to be bringing CBS shows to Netflix and are looking forward to growing our relationship over time," said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer for Netflix. "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."


Michelle Amodio is a TMCnet Contributor. She has years of experience in business and marketing. Previously, she worked in broadcast journalism and as an editor abroad in London, England for a privately owned magazine. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Tammy Wolf