Netflix Allows Miramax Movies to Go Digital
Internet movie subscription service Netflix and film company Miramax today announced a multi-year agreement under which Netflix members in the U.S. will be able to instantly watch motion pictures from the Miramax film library. According to Netflix, it is the first time Miramax titles have become available through a digital subscription service.
By Rakesh Raman
Through this partnership, the Netflix library gains a variety of films which collectively have 284 Academy Award nominations, across 83 films, with 68 wins, including the Best Picture winners “The English Patient” and “Shakespeare in Love.”
[ Also Read: Sara Bordo Sees Shakeout in Entertainment Markets ]Other titles such as “Bad Santa,” “Chasing Amy,” “Cinema Paradiso,” “Clerks,” “Cold Mountain,” “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Kill Bill” Volumes I and II, “Muriel’s Wedding,” “The Piano,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Reindeer Games” and many of the “Halloween,” “Scary Movie,” “Scream” and “Spy Kids” movies will be available over time.
In a similar arrangement last month, Twentieth Century Fox and Netflix had announced that the companies have expanded their non-exclusive digital distribution agreement, adding additional titles from Fox’s television and movie library. (Read: Glee with Sons of Anarchy on Netflix)
Strengthening its presence in the home entertainment market, Netflix is taking other steps too. The company says streaming from Netflix on TVs will be as easy as one click of a remote control. Leading consumer electronics companies have joined in a development effort to place Netflix-branded one-click buttons on remotes that operate Internet connected TVs, Blu-ray disc players and other devices that connect the Internet to the TV. (Read: Netflix Streaming with One-Click Remotes)
For giving more entertainment options to consumers, recently Netflix and multi-faceted company FilmDistrict signed a multi-year agreement through which first-run, theatrically-released films distributed by FilmDistrict will be licensed to Netflix. (Read: Netflix Offers More Options to Film Lovers)
Moreover, close on the heels of its rival Hulu’s Internet video subscription service offer, Netflix introduced a similar $7.99 streaming-only subscription plan in the United States.
With its members now watching more content streamed over the Internet than on discs delivered by mail, Netflix has decided to take the Internet route to deliver movies and TV shows.
The plan, which allows members to instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix to TVs and computers, is available now to both new and existing members. (Read: Netflix Goes to the Net to Deliver Flicks)
[ Also Read: Boxee Box Brings the Internet to Your TV ]“From day one, we’ve been very clear about the importance of digital and our desire to respond to the significant pent-up demand for our films — delivering to consumers whenever and wherever they want,” said Mike Lang, CEO of Miramax. “This agreement is an important first step in our digital strategy.”
Beginning in June, Netflix members in the U.S. will be able to instantly watch several hundred Miramax movies, with dozens of titles being added on a rotating basis.
The movies can be watched on multiple platforms, including TV, tablet, computer and mobile phones. The announcement was made today, May 16. Financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed.
By Rakesh Raman, the managing editor of Raman Media Network.
