Netflix And Amazon Ink DreamWorks And Disney Content Deals
Netflix and Amazon's LOVEFiLM are each getting a burst of new content, its been announced, with DreamWorks and Disney each promising fresh on-demand titles for the cord-cutting favorites. On Netflix, a new deal with DreamWorks will see more than 300 hours of new programming based on existing and upcoming franchises such as Turbo added, while LOVEFiLM will get a mixture of new and classic titles like Dumbo, Ratatouille, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
LOVEFiLM subscribers will get the benefit of Amazon's new deal first, with the Disney titles arriving on the service from today. Big name movies like Wall-E and Lady and the Tramp are including, though LOVEFiLM is yet to detail the full list of new content.
As for Netflix, that deal with DreamWorks will take a little longer to reach fruition. The first of the original shows will be hitting the on-demand service in 2014, where they'll be available across all the countries where Netflix is available, including the US, Canada, Europe, and Latin America.
Talk of a DreamWorks/Netflix content deal began back in 2011, when the streaming provider confirmed it would be featuring shows from the studio. Turbo was the first franchise plowed for potential characters, with a cartoon called Turbo: F.A.S.T. (Fast Action Stunt Team) revealed.
Meanwhile, Netflix US and Latin America will get new DreamWorks Animation films from next year, beginning with The Croods. That'll be followed by Turbo and Mr. Peabody and Sherman.
The two deals announced on the same day marks the latest battle in the ongoing on-demand content war between Netflix and Amazon. Earlier this month, Amazon snapped up a deal with Viacom after many kid-favorite shows like Dora the Explorer disappeared from the Netflix catalog, leading to vocal complaints from many parents. Research suggests that, while Netflix maintains its lead in TV content, Amazon and Hulu are fast catching up.