Netflix’s push into original content has received its latest positive feedback from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, netting 14 nominations for the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Most of those went to standout series House of Cards, which was nominated for Most Outstanding Drama, with Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright nominated for outstanding lead actor and actress awards. The fourth season of Arrested Development also received recognition with three nominations, while Hemlock Grove is on the list for two. Netflix will need to launch a few more hits if it wants to pass other players in the entertainment space (HBO’s Game of Thrones received 16 nominations by itself while the network totaled 108, for example), but with these first-ever nominations for streaming content, it’s off to a good start.
When we last checked in with Sandvine’s stat trackers, Netflix reigned supreme in online video traffic at home, especially downstream. It’s still sitting pretty several months later, Sandvine tells AllThingsD. Quite possibly helped by the House of Cards debut, Netflix kept a healthy lead at 32.3 percent of downstream use on wired networks this past March. That’s no mean feat when some of its competition took big strides forward — YouTube jumped up to 17.1 percent, and Hulu likely rode sweeps season to get 2.4 percent.
In mobile, it’s a different story. Netflix use on cellular almost doubled to 4 percent, but YouTube kept an uncontested lead at 27.3 percent of downstream use. It’s not hard to see why after looking at other video formats people prefer on the road: raw HTTP video (19.2 percent) and Facebook (8.6 percent) were the next-closest, which suggests that many still grab snack-sized videos on their phones instead of full movies or TV shows. We don’t expect the status quo to budge much in the near future, whether it’s on mobile or a fixed-line. Without major initiatives from veterans or the arrival of a new upstart, it isn’t clear just what would rock the boat.
Netflix has reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2013, and in that period it’s added over 3 million customers worldwide. Domestically it added 2.03 million customers alone, pushing its total number over 30 million (including trial users) in the US. That means it’s passed HBO in paying subscribers for the first time ever, while notching $2.69 million in net profits on $1.02 billion in revenue for the quarter. Internationally there were over a million new sign-ups and it’s planning to launch in a new European market during the second half of this year, which we should hear more about on its Q2 earnings call in July.
One change all users will notice is to its package of streaming plans, as CEO Reed Hastings mentioned an $11.99 per month option is incoming that will allow subscribers to stream as many as four videos simultaneously, up from the current official limit of two. There’s some question over whether Netflix will begin to crack down harder on account sharing, but Hastings claims he expects less than one percent of users to opt for the new plan. The company is also continuing to test the personalized profiles we got a peek at during CES, and expects to roll them out “in the coming months.” Another major note is that as it expands its suite of original content, it’s shifting focus away from some of existing “bulk, nonexclusive” licensing deals and will let a major one from Viacom expire in May. Specifically referenced is content from Nickelodeon, MTV and BET, although it’s negotiating for access to particular shows. In the future, its preferred option will be exclusive deals with the studios that produce the shows, like the one it announced earlier this year with Warner. Check after the break for a few more details, including updates on the progress of some of its original series.
Up until this one specific camera shot, 31 minutes and 42 seconds into the sixth episode of House of Cards, it had all been going pretty well. The endearing evil of the series’ anti-hero Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey, there on the left) had carried me through the first five installments at a brisk pace, to the extent that even the most blatant Apple and Sony product placements had largely gone unnoticed. (Underwood: “Is that a PS Vita? I oughta get one of these for the car.”)
I happen to be from the UK, where paid product placements on TV shows were banned until 2011 and where we’re particularly sensitive to such things, so I must have been engrossed. But then this desk shot happened. My disbelief stopped suspending and promptly clattered to the floor. It had nothing to do with Apple specifically, or even the principle of commercial gadget cameos. My paranoia runs deeper than that, and it has so far prevented me from going back to watch the rest of the series. Read on and I’ll explain.
Just as it had promised, Netflix today released its original seriesHouse of Cards to its many, many subscribers.There’s more good news, however, as the the streaming giant’s giving those without the necessary account credentials a chance to see what the show is all about, giving non-paid users access to the very first episode at no cost. Meanwhile, those who shell out the monthly fee will be able to catch all 13 episodes of House of Cards in one go, with Netflix obviously taking a different approach than what we’re accustomed to seeing in new series from the likes of HBO or Showtime. Naturally, should folks like what they see from Kevin Spacey, Kate Mara and the rest of the cast, they’ll have to sign up for the service in order to keep up with the story — which, we’d say, is exactly what Netflix wishes for. Have some time to spare? Then hit that source link below to watch the House of Cards premiere (that’s assuming you haven’t done so already, of course).
There’s a football game this week, in case you hadn’t heard — but that’s not all. Netflix is debuting the series that it claims will change internet TV, and there’s also a few other new options to keep an eye out for. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
The Americans Add another basic cable series to your watchlist this week, as FX debuts The Americans. Based in 1981, it focuses on a family of Soviet spies living in the US during the Cold War. The show already has a two year commitment to air in the UK, so it’s unlikely to face a quick hook — feel free to settle in. (FX, January 30th, 10PM)
Super Bowl XLVII It’s the Super Bowl. All other Sunday night programing has been pushed aside, so you’ll either be huddled around the flatscreen watching 49ers/Ravens or… we’re not sure what. (CBS, February 3rd, 6:30PM)
House of Cards Netflix’s next venture into the world of original programming begins Friday morning, when it will make the entire first season of its series House of Cards available for streaming. Starring Kevin Spacey, it has all the trademarks of a well produced cable series, it’s just not on cable — it’s on the internet. (Netflix, February 1st)
We’re still a few months away from the debut of Netflix’s new series House of Cards, but the streaming company has posted a trailer on its service and on YouTube giving us an early peek. You can check it out after the break, or head to the Netflix site and see the new page it’s whipped up to promote the show that’s accessible whether or not you subscribe to the service. That’s also where it plans to add behind the scenes content, reviews and other promo material as the February 1st launch approaches. The trailer is brief, but the style and everything we can see of star Kevin Spacey as Congressman Francis Underwood has the feel of a high quality production. This path is already well worn by AMC, HBO, Showtime and others trying pump up value by adding exclusive new shows (Lilyhammer also aired on Norwegian TV) on top of existing catalog movie offerings. We’ll see if the critics and subscribers put it on a par with shows like Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Dexter or Breaking Bad, and how viewers react to Netflix’s strategy of making all the episodes available at once.
While Netflix has built its streaming service on content previously available elsewhere, its dive into exclusive original content begins in earnest February 1st of next year. That’s when the David Fincher-directed House of Cards series that it reportedly outbid the likes of HBO and AMC for will debut, with all 13 episodes immediately available for streaming in all of Netflix’s service areas. Lilyhammer was an exclusive of sorts that debuted earlier this year, however that was in association with Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
Netflix is going it alone backing several original series that will roll out over the next year including the highly anticipated return of Arrested Development (they’re apparently looking for walk-ons, check the video after the break), a murder mystery titled Hemlock Grove from Eli Roth, comedy Orange is the New Black from Jenji Kohan, the creator of Showtime’s Weeds, and the second season of Lilyhammer. There’s no word on why the series will launch next year instead of the originally scheduled “late 2012” window, however production of the second 13 episode season (which Netflix agreed to up front) is already scheduled to begin in the spring as well. We’ll see if the new push for exclusive content can cover some of the holes in Netflix’s catalog and keep current customers aboard while also attracting new viewers, even as competition in the subscription streaming arena increases.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
