Netflix has secured a deal with Sony Pictures Television for an original new show set to begin production early next year. According to The Wall Street Journal, the show will be a psychological thriller from the same creators of the FX legal drama Damages; Sony Pictures is responsible for shows such as Breaking Bad and The Blacklist, both of which have become immensely popular. Netflix’s latest coup highlights just how popular streaming-video has become over the last year.
Steve Mosko, president of Sony Pictures Television, said the company’s decision to partner with Netflix is a “bet on the future.” Netflix will have the rights to premier the show in all international territories, WSJ said, which actually differs from more traditional methods, where studios sell separately to U.S. and overseas channels. Sony previously handled international responsibilities for Netflix’s House of Cards and saw enormous overseas demand. Not surprising, since the show went on to become a huge success among critics.
“We’re pumped up—it’s a challenge to show a major studio can be in business with one of these services,” Mosko said.
According to the creators of the upcoming show, which doesn’t yet have a name, the new series will explore relationships between parents and children, siblings and how the family dynamic can be affected by rivalries, jealousy and betrayals. Sounds to me like it won’t differ all that much from a Kardashian show, except, you know, it’ll actually be worth watching. Now that Sony is onboard with Netflix, the partnership could set a precedent for other future deals; Warner Bros. and Twentieth Century Fox Television are also reportedly interested in bringing original shows to Netflix.
Other popular original programming that has aired through Netflix includes Orange is the New Black and the most recent season of Arrested Development. If this new show pans out the way it should, Netflix really could become the go-to destination for new television, and could lead to more studios hopping onboard for future content.
