As Netflix has become more successful, it's started paying a price for that success. From the ever-increasing number of competitors, to networks retaliating by pulling their content from the streaming service, everybody either wants a piece of the action or wants Netflix to have less of the action. Now Starz, whose current deal provides Netflix streaming rights to both films and original series such as Spartacus: Blood and Sand, is putting its cards on the table. NY Post reports that Starz is asking for $350 million per year to renew their Netflix deal...more than ten times their current price of $30 million per year.
Starz had previously signaled that they were unhappy with the current deal, having started delaying new episodes of their original series for 90 days before they could be posted to Netflix. If Netflix doesn't come to an agreement, it would be a harsh blow to their streaming service. Aside from original shows like Spartacus and Camelot, Starz has provided many of the more current films in Netflix's streaming catalogue. In recent months, the Starz Play section of Netflix has added movies such as Toy Story 3, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and The Other Guys. Anyone who has perused Netflix's Instant Watch section knows that the loss of Starz Play would seriously limit the options of anyone not in the mood to watch '80s movies or direct-to-video horror sequels you've never heard of. A failure to deal would be less of a blow to Netflix on the TV-show front, because that's one area where Netflix has excelled at adding tons of new content.
What do you think? Would the loss of Starz's shows and films make you reevaluate your Netflix subscription? Click over to our TV Blend Facebook page and tell us what you think.
