For many TV audiences, Netflix has become a go-to place to catch up on shows that have concluded their on-air runs. NBC sitcoms like Frasier, The Office, and Cheers have all found new homes on the streaming platform, gradually evolving into the binge-watching format. However, it now looks like Netflix is about to lose one of its most beloved NBC sitcoms, as 30 Rock is about to leave Netflix and make a jump to Hulu (along with some other shows) as a result of a huge deal with NBCUniversal.
CinemaBlend has learned that Hulu has inked a deal with NBCUniversal to acquire some of the entertainment giant's best shows. Chief among these is the Emmy-winning sitcom 30 Rock, which will leave Netflix at the end of September and begin its Hulu life on October 1. The deal comes fresh off of the heels of another deal in which NBCUniversal licensed Will & Grace to Hulu ahead of the classic sitcom's upcoming revival. Other shows involved in this deal include Parenthood, Face Off, There's Johnny, and Made in Chelsea.
30 Rock is obviously a show that needs no introduction for many TV viewers. Running for seven seasons on NBC, the surreal show centered on the exploits of Liz Lemon, Jack Donaghy, Tracy Jordan, and others -- such as The Rural Juror star Jenna Maroney -- workng behind the scenes of a hit sketch comedy show at 30 Rockefeller Center, with TGS essentially serving as a stand-in for Saturday Night Live. Over the course of its run, 30 Rock became an awards darling, walking away with several Golden Globe and Emmy wins.
So if you're currently a Hulu subscriber (or you plan to become one), this means that Hulu will soon become your go-to source for all Jack Donaghy's all-business one-liners.
Of course, if you're a die-hard Netflix user still in the market for 30 Rock's particular brand of Tina Fey humor, then there are options at your disposal. Specifically, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is still available on the streaming service; given the shared DNA between the two shows, it should (at the very least) help ease the pain of 30 Rock's October departure. Kimmy Schmidt was recently renewed for a fourth season, so it's clearly going to keep Tina Fey busy for the foreseeable future, as will her EP duties on NBC's current show Great News.
Even if you're not a fan of 30 Rock, there's quite a bit to get excited about with this deal. As mentioned above: Hulu has also acquired other fan-favorite series like Parenthood, Jason Katims' critically-acclaimed drama about the struggles of keeping one big family together, as well as Face Off, Syfy's reality competition series in which artistic contestants vie to achieve Hollywood notoriety in the makeup and effects fields. As well, Hulu will be the first place for U.S. audiences to stream the U.K. reality series Made in Chelsea.
It's not all acquirements, though. Hulu will also be the new home for the Tonight Show-themed comedy There's...Johnny! -- co-created by Paul Reiser and starring Jane Levy and Tony Danza -- which was set up at the now-sheltered Seeso streaming service. We were disappointed when that happened, given the hilarity of some Seeso series, so it's great that we'll get to check this one out.
30 Rock will remain available on Netflix until the end of the month, and then (along with Parenthood, Face Off, and others) the show that taught us to live every week like a Shark Week will arrive in Hulu's library. Looking ahead to the world of premieres -- such as Stranger Things Season 2 and The Walking Dead Season 8 -- make sure to keep an eye on CinemaBlend's fall TV premiere guide and get your television-viewing schedules filled out accordingly!
