Starz Adds Movies for Streaming at Netflix

Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) and Starz Entertainment LLC today announced an agreement to make movies from Starz, through its Starz Play broadband subscription movie service, available to be streamed instantly at Netflix, in a move designed to harness climbing interest in streamed video content.

Access to the Starz Play service at Netflix will be included with Netflix members' current monthly subscription fee.

The deal adds 2,500 additional movies to NetFlix’s growing library of more than 12,000 choices of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. Netflix members who have unlimited subscription plans, which start at only $8.99 a month, will have full and unlimited access to the newly added content.

NetFlix says that includes the opportunity to enjoy a live feed of the Starz TV network on their PCs and does not impact the number of DVDs members receive as part of their monthly plans.

The first of the Starz titles  approximately 1,000  are available now at the Netflix Web site, where they are presented in a distinct area accessible by clicking on the "Watch Instantly" tab on the Netflix member home page. More titles will be added in the coming weeks.

Starz Play, Starz' collection of programming content for online distribution, features a wide variety of first-run hit movies, independent films and well-known movie classics, in addition to extreme sports, concerts, anime, Westerns and more.

“The coupling of Starz Play with our growing library of streaming content is an important step forward for both companies and for consumer choice,” said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix, in prepared comments. “Our deal reflects the creative ways we are working with content partners to expand the profile and the number of choices our subscribers can watch instantly over the Internet.”

Netflix also said that as part of the deal it will offer a Starz Play-only subscription for $7.99 a month.

“Netflix has grown to be an innovative leader in the home video space and we are delighted to offer their customers our unique and robust collection of movies on a subscription basis,” said Starz COO Bill Myers, in prepared comments. “This agreement is a strong vehicle to promote the Starz brand.”

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