Marvel to create new superhero shows for Netflix
Netflix is joining forces with Disney's Marvel to bring several new superhero shows to the streaming Internet TV service, the companies announced Thursday.
Under the "groundbreaking deal," Netflix has committed to a minimum of four, 13-episode series culminating in a miniseries "programming event," they said in a joint statement.
"Led by a series focused on 'Daredevil,' followed by 'Jessica Jones,' 'Iron Fist' and 'Luke Cage,' the epic will unfold over multiple years of original programming."
The shows will be produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Television Studios. The first is expected to debut in 2015.
Netflix, faced with increasingly aggressive competitors such as Amazon, is placing more emphasis on the production of original series and exclusive distribution deals.
In a multi-year deal announced in June, DreamWorks Animation—the studio behind blockbusters "Shrek" and "Kung Fu Panda"—will release new original shows exclusively on Netflix.
The Netflix political drama "House of Cards" made television history this year when it became the first online-only series ever to be nominated for a major Emmy award, although it failed to take any of the big prizes.
Inspired by a BBC series from the early 1990s, "House of Cards" was made exclusively for Netflix, which put all 13 episodes online in February in one swoop.
"Netflix offers an incredible platform for the kind of rich storytelling that is Marvel's specialty," Alan Fine, president of Marvel Entertainment, said in the joint release.
"This serialized epic expands the narrative possibilities of on-demand television and gives fans the flexibility to immerse themselves how and when they want in what's sure to be a thrilling and engaging adventure."
Ted Sarandos, chief content officer at Netflix, added that "with 'House of Cards' and our other original series, we have pioneered new approaches to storytelling and to global distribution."
"We're thrilled to be working with Disney and Marvel to take our brand of television to new levels with a creative project of this magnitude," he added.
© 2013 AFP
