Netflix’s Ted Sarandos: Disney deal a ‘game changer’
Netflix’s day-old deal to be the exclusive pay-TV home for new movies from Walt Disney Studios is a “game changer” for the streaming video company and was “the highest value deal” possible for the entertainment giant, executives from the two companies said Wednesday.
Speaking at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference in New York, Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said bidding away those rights from premium cable channel Starz beginning in 2016 was particularly valuable to his company because of its large family audience.
“The movies that constantly performed well for us are those big, animated features,” Sarandos said. “There’s lots of repeat viewing. It’s a safe brand halo.”
-- Dawn C. Chmielewski and Ben Fritz