CW Signs New Streaming Pact With Netflix. Will Supernatural Be Affected?
The CW has signed a new streaming pact with Netflix.
Deadline reports the library deal with Netflix will continue. However, the in season deal with Hulu will not be renewed.
The library Netflix pact, which covers previous seasons of CW series, is being extended, with the window following the season finale on the CW significantly shortened
The Hulu agreement only covered next-day access to the most recent “rolling five” episodes of CW series. I hear Hulu was interested in a new deal if it could get in-season stacking rights, whose value has increased dramatically over the last couple of years. I hear that was not an option for the CW’s parent companies, which is understandable because in-season stacking rights undercut the value of complete seasons and would’ve likely jeopardized a new deal with Netflix.
This means we will no longer be able to watch Supernatural and other CW shows the next day on Hulu.
Meanwhile, the CW is retaining in-season rights to all of its series. At the upfront, the network announced that it will make “rolling five” episodes available to more than 80 million devices on mobile, tablet, and all major OTT platforms. There had been talk about a possible play on CBS All Access.
The good news is that the window for streaming the entire season on Netflix will be reduced from a few months after the end of the season to a few weeks. Details have not, as yet been confirmed by the CW, Netflix or Hulu.
Variety has more details.
How will this affect you? Do you watch Supernatural or other CW shows on Hulu the next day? Are you happy that Supernatural and other CW shows will be available on Netflix earlier than they have been? Let us know in the comments.
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