CBS (NYSE: CBS) and Netflix (NSDQ: NFLX) are expanding their relationship with a new deal that goes both north and south of the U.S. border — and illustrates how idiosyncratic some of these licensing moves can be thanks to existing deals, rights limitations and strategy. The two-year agreement is nearly all about past seasons and library, with a mix that varies by territory and one current CW show for Canada. How it breaks down:
Canada: CW — current and complete back seasons 90210; Showtime — past seasons of Californication, Dexter, The United States of Tara; CBS — library series including Numb3rs, Sleeper Cell, and Twin Peaks.
Latin America: One of the first hints of programming for the September launch in 43 countries (they can be licensed in a batch). This one is only back season. CW — 90210, Showtime — Nurse Jackie, Californication, Dexter; CBS — Medium plus part of the Star Trek library (Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Charmed, and Twin Peaks. (Twin Peaks in Spanish could be quite the experience.)
Netflix and CBS signed a domestic deal in February.
The international streaming deal offers a hint of what could be ahead when Netflix starts its next wave of international expansion, anticipated for UK and possibly Spain in early 2012.
More to come.
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