CBS Pulls Showtime Content From Netflix
Effort to Reduce Netflix Influence Continues
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/CBS-Pulls-Showtime-Content-From-Netflix-113376
With Hulu essentially a timid extension of the cable industry, Netflix is about as disruptive as you're currently going to get in the Internet video space. That's certainly not thanks to Hollywood, which has employed obnoxious licensing restrictions like 30 day new release delays to limit Netflix's power and supposedly protect DVD sales revenue. Hollywood has made it clear they want to turn Netflix into a discount junk shop where only lower quality titles live, thereby protecting traditional video distribution models. Following through on that threat, CBS this week announced they'd be pulling a chunk of Showtime content from the Netflix lineup, a move Netflix says they find "perplexing:"
Showtime hopes that by making it harder for consumers to access their content, they can somehow magically retain the premium cable channel ecosystem.
Effort to Reduce Netflix Influence Continues
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/CBS-Pulls-Showtime-Content-From-Netflix-113376
With Hulu essentially a timid extension of the cable industry, Netflix is about as disruptive as you're currently going to get in the Internet video space. That's certainly not thanks to Hollywood, which has employed obnoxious licensing restrictions like 30 day new release delays to limit Netflix's power and supposedly protect DVD sales revenue. Hollywood has made it clear they want to turn Netflix into a discount junk shop where only lower quality titles live, thereby protecting traditional video distribution models. Following through on that threat, CBS this week announced they'd be pulling a chunk of Showtime content from the Netflix lineup, a move Netflix says they find "perplexing:"
Showtime spokeswoman Johanna Fuentes confirmed that it will take all episodes of TV series that are currently running on the channel off Netflix when the current distribution deal between the two companies expires this summer. That leaves Netflix subscribers with limited time to watch old episodes of shows such as "Dexter" and "Californication," which are currently available on the streaming service. . . "We're perplexed by this," said Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey. "We have great Showtime shows available on our service, and we expect to continue with those shows. We have a very good relationship with CBS and all its channels."
Showtime hopes that by making it harder for consumers to access their content, they can somehow magically retain the premium cable channel ecosystem.
