The CW shows will be available on Netflix’s platform just after a couple of week following the existing deal’s expiration.
Advertisement
With their Hulu deal expiring, The CW is nearing a deal with Netflix to extend their streaming deal. CW shows will become available on Netflix much, much faster, but at the cost of their Hulu availability. The agreement, which is being discussed by Warner Bros and CBS, is expected to strengthen their relationship with Netflix for the next five years, allowing its domestic subscribers to continue watching the TV shows.
Representative for The CW, Hulu and Netflix were contacted by Variety, but all of them declined to comment on the story. As a result, The CW is coming out with their own streaming service for in-season streaming, which all but eliminates the need for a deal with Hulu, which usually streams the latest five episodes of CW shows.
Netflix will then get all the new episodes at a specific point, which reportedly could be as quick as two weeks after the end of the traditional September to May season. Following the expiration of the original deal, rumored to be in October, in-season streaming will now come through the ad-supported CWTV.com as well as through VOD deals with local affiliates.
So, what’s the price tag on this new deal? However, it is sure to be one “one of the largest output deals in the SVOD arena” and “could exceed $1 billion”.
Young viewers, like the ones who watch CW shows, are increasingly moving away from live cable television in favor of streaming shows after they air.
Advertisement
That’s right. The long wait is over! Starring Grant Gustin in the titular role of the Scarlet Speedster, The Flash is one of The CW’s most successful shows. Hulu sources also stated that The Flash and Arrow fans often lodged complaints about only the most recent five episodes being available. The Hulu deal was made by and directly benefits the CW.
