The Office

So, maybe NBC isn't going back to iTunes anytime soon.  NBC announced today a deal with online DVD distributor NetFlix that will allow NetFlix subscribers to watch episodes of popular NBC shows like The Office, 30 Rock, and Friday Night Lights at NetFlix.com the day after the shows air on NBC.  In addition, DVDs of previous episodes will be available both online and through NetFlix's typical distribution method – DVD by mail.  This announcement comes just months after NBC dropped iTunes as its primary online distributor for old TV episodes. 

The Office famously was saved in part by its strong iTunes sales, and it was a shock to many when NBC dropped the Apple product as a means of giving TV viewers a second chance to watch already aired TV episodes.  But, on the heels of today's announcement, I'm not sure if NBC will miss iTunes after all.  NBC dropped iTunes because they wanted Apple to pay a higher wholesale price for the episodes, so we have to assume that NetFlix offered something more in line with what the Peacock deemed acceptable.  The option of watching an old episode immediately on line, or waiting a day for the DVD to come in the mail is a big deal.  Watching streaming content on line can be OK, but lots of TV fans don't have a fast enough connection or just don't like the crappy quality of their computer screen.  Having DVDs available is a massive step forward for NBC.

I'm a NetFlix subscriber and have nothing but good things to say about it.  While the majority of the analysis of this deal will likely pertain to how this effects NBC, it's as big of a deal for NetFlix.  That company is expanding, offering more and more on line content, and doing its best to innovate as the question of how best to distribute media in today's world continues.


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Source: Reuters
(Image Courtesy of NBC)