Netflix And The CW Sign Major Deal, Shows Now Available


Netflix and the CW have signed a major deal, which means there will be no more waiting for CW shows after the season finale airs each year. To be fair, there will be a little over a week to wait for the season to become available on Netflix, but that is still a major breakthrough for Netflix and fans of the CW’s shows.

In the new major deal between Netflix and the CW, as reported by Forbes, Netflix will begin streaming entire seasons of the CW shows in such a close time period of the ending that fans will no longer have to suffer through entire summers waiting for their shows to hit the streaming video buffet giant. That time period will only consist of eight days between the season finale of the show and the season launch on Netflix.

Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos could not be more thrilled about the deal, which uniquely positions Netflix over rival streaming networks like Hulu and Amazon Prime.

“Netflix members in the U.S. love the great lineup of series’ from The CW, and we are thrilled to extend the relationship,” Sarandos said.

One thing about this deal that makes it unique over Hulu is that Netflix and Hulu were both vying for the rights to the CW shows at the same time. But Hulu was demanding that all shows from the CW be exclusive to their streaming platform, which the CW would not budge on. That is when Netflix came in with their counter proposal and offered more money for the CW to start sending their shows to Netflix in a relatively shorter period after the season finales air.

The deal between the CW and Netflix seemed to go down without a hitch. Both companies have made statements in the press that show the two are heading into prosperous waters, and the fans are just going to love the change in programming releases.

“Since the initial landmark deal in 2011, The CW’s programming has enjoyed tremendous success and increased exposure through Netflix, and our new agreement not only continues but enhances this valuable relationship,” said Mark Pedowitz, the president of the CW network. “The CW has positioned itself for the future by transforming into a true hybrid network, rooted in broadcast while fully embracing the digital and streaming habits of the viewers.”

Pedowitz is certainly right about his CW network and its growth. The CW may still be the lowest-rated network in the Big 5 broadcast, but it is the only network that experienced growth in the ratings last season while all the other Big 4 saw declines.

The deal between Netflix and the CW will actually start with shows that are coming up in the 2016-2017 season, but it will be a multi-year deal that is expected to be renewed several times over, given that it could produce such wondrous fruit for both companies.

The CW will already start sending its newest shows over to Netflix, which includes the DC Television Universe series Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, and other DC shows like Arrow and The Flash. Others that will be getting a Netflix treatment are Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Jane the Virgin, and The 100.

For those who were used to watching their favorite CW shows on Hulu during the broadcast season, you will still get to head over to CWTV.com and watch them. It also has its own app, so it can be easily used on smartphones and tablets.

There has been no official word yet if certain big CW shows, such as Supernatural Season 11 or The 100 Season 3, will be coming to Netflix sooner than normal.

[Image via the CW]

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