Unlike Disney, NBCUniversal and ViacomCBS, Sony notably has not launched a direct-to-consumer streaming service to compete with Netflix. Instead, the studio is cementing its future in a major deal with Netflix.

Sony has inked a multi-year, exclusive first pay window licensing deal in the U.S. that will allow Netflix first pay window rights to Sony Pictures titles following their theatrical and home entertainment windows, the studio announced Thursday. (The typical pay one window is 18 months.)

For theatrically released films, the pact will begin with Sony's 2022 film slate, which includes Morbius, Uncharted, and the sequel to the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Since 2006, Sony's pay-TV partner has been the Lionsgate-owned Starz.

Under the deal, Netflix, which has been spending billions to build out a library of its own in anticipation of the launch of studio streaming services, will also have access to a new library of films. The streamer will have the ability to license the rights to select titles from Sony's library, which includes Columbia's nearly century-old catalog. (Netflix and Sony already have a pre-existing output deal for Sony Pictures Animation titles, first inked in 2014.)

Over the course of the deal, Netflix has also committed to financing a number of titles from the studio's motion picture group. These will encompass the films that Sony intends to make directly for streaming from inception or decides at a later point to license for streaming. The announcement notes that Sony's theatrical output will "continue at its current volume."

With the pact, Netflix will have access to a new pipeline of first-run film offerings, including a steady supply of Marvel content, which has been out of reach for the streaming service since the launch of Disney+. Per deal terms, these will include future installments of Spider-Man and Venom. (Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Spider-Man: No Way Home, the next installment in their respective franchises, are both set for 2021 releases so will not be included in the pact.)

“At Sony Pictures, we produce some of the biggest blockbusters and the most creative, original films in the industry. This exciting agreement further demonstrates the importance of that content to our distribution partners as they grow their audiences and deliver the very best in entertainment," said Keith Le Goy, Sony's president of worldwide distribution.

Added Netflix film head Scott Stuber: “This not only allows us to bring their impressive slate of beloved film franchises and new IP to Netflix in the U.S., but it also establishes a new source of first-run films for Netflix movie lovers worldwide.”
This deal comes after the other major studios have drawn their respective lines-in-the-sand, as to how they will be handling their theatrical titles, streaming services, and VOD.

Warners sent shockwaves throughout the industry when it announced the entirety of its 2021 movie slate would be available both on HBO Max and in open theaters, day-and-date. Universal struck a deal to have its movies debut on premium video-on-demand services 17 days after. Paramount stated that some of its major theatrical titles including Mission: Impossible 7 and A Quiet Place Part II, will debut on Paramount+ 45 days after their big-screen runs.

The show about nothing might not reach Netflix until the fall.
J. Fingas
@jonfingas
June 19th, 2021
It's bad enough when a favorite TV show jumps to another service, but Seinfeld fans might have to forego the show entirely for a while. Vulture sources claim the legendary show about nothing won't reach Netflix until September "at the earliest." Given that the show leaves Hulu on June 23rd, you might have to go months without tales of parking garages and puffy shirts — at least, not without buying episodes.

It's unclear just why there would be a gap when shows like The Office have made relatively seamless transitions. Netflix even extended access to Friends to make sure there wasn't as much of a gap when the series left for HBO Max in 2020.

We've asked Netflix for comment.

Vulture speculated that this might be a deliberate pause to build hype for Seinfeld's return or launch alongside a comedy special. However, it could also be a simple matter of contract terms. Sony Pictures Television's deal might prevent Netflix from streaming the show as soon as it might like. This is an important show that could easily draw viewers without much fanfare, and it would be odd to sit on that much potential subscriber revenue for three months or more.

It's time to say goodbye. Beginning early September, you will no longer be able to manually order titles in My List. Titles will default to automatic ordering.