Netflix and The Weinstein Company struck a new multi-year deal Tuesday, giving Netflix the exclusive streaming rights to several of TWC’s recent titles.
Films such as “The Artist,” expected to dominate this year’s Academy Awards, and “Undefeated,” nominated for a Best Documentary Feature Oscar, will debut on Netflix before premium TV or cable channels. They will be available to all Netflix members in the U.S. who have streaming subscriptions.
"We couldn't be happier to be working again with Harvey and Bob, who have an unmatched track record of creating critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies," Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement. "'The Artist' is a symbol of the Weinsteins' triumphant return to the top of the film business. Through deep passion, great taste and phenomenal vision, Harvey and Bob continue to surprise audiences and make history."
Also Read: Amazon Ponders New Challenge to Netflix in Streaming Market (Report)
Other titles making their debut on Netflix include “Sarah’s Key,” Ralph Fiennes’ “Coriolanus,” Madonna’s “W.E.” and French box office smash “The Intouchables.”
Netflix has spent the past several months negotiating new deals to acquire content with mixed results. While its Starz deal fell through, it signed new agreements with Dreamworks Animation, the CW and Miramax.
As speculation builds about an Amazon streaming service, adding the year’s most acclaimed film to your library can only help – even if it hasn’t been a box office smash.
"It is a fantastic coup for Netflix to acquire 'The Artist' and the package of additional titles," TWC co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said in a statement. "With this deal, a company that loves movies, Netflix, joins forces with a company that is built on that same love. It's exciting that we can offer consumers a supremely convenient way to see the kinds of movies that made us want to be in this business in the first place."
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.