U.S. video streaming business Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) has signed an expanded license agreement with NBC Universal, allowing Netflix users for the first time to have access to some of NBC's most popular TV series, including Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock, The Office and Friday Night Lights.
The multi-year deal, which will further strengthen the relationship between NBC and Netflix, kicks off next week, and adds a significant number of movies and TV episodes that can be streamed instantly to Netflix's repretoire.
The transaction includes episodes from every season of NBC's signature comedy franchise "Saturday Night Live," even day-after broadcasts of the upcoming 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons.
Netflix offers unlimited access to a slew of TV series and movies online, allowing you to stream your programs through the internet to your TV, DVD, or Blue-Ray player for $8.99 per month in the U.S.
The company is growing feverishly, competing against movie rental companies like Blockbuster, who have failed to update their business models, and consequently, gone out of business.
Because of Blockbuster's inability to stay on top of its game, the company has seen a signicant decline in revenues over the last years, and just yesterday, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Building upon its strength and significant market-share, Netflix entered the Canadian market this week and is offering a similar streaming service to that of the U.S, giving Canadians access to thousands of programs, from companies including MGM Studios and Paramount Pictures. The service is available for C$7.99 per month.
With more than 15 million members in the United States and Canada, Netflix is the world's largest Internet subscription service for enjoying movies and TV shows.
Among the base of devices streaming from Netflix are Microsoft's Xbox 360, Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PS3 consoles; Blu-ray disc players from Best Buy's Insignia brand, LG and Samsung; Internet TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony and VIZIO; the Roku digital video player and TiVo digital video recorders; and Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
The company has gone up 3% in pre-market trading on the Nasdaq, trading at $164.9.
