Netflix, A&E may be at impasse over licensing deal

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NetflixShows like “Storage Wars” and “Pawn Stars” are at stake: Netflix licenses to stream A&E programming from A&E and History Channels are set to expire 9/21 unless a new deal is reached. In addition to History’s “Storage Wars,” some of the cable series that could be leaving include History’s “Ice Road Truckers,” “Pawn Stars” and “American Pickers” and A&E’s “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” “Gene Simmons: Family Jewels,” “Hoarders” and “Intervention,” reports Variety.


Sources told the paper that the two companies offer “strikingly different interpretations of the state of the negotiations.” Netflix is said to have already decided to part with some 40 series and miniseries totaling some 800 hours of content because the viewership didn’t justify the licensing cost. There are still 200-300 more hours of content from the two networks that it intends to keep on the service.

“Content comes into and out of license periods almost daily,” Ted Sarandos, chief content officer at Netflix told Variety in a statement. “We renew programming that proves successful and generates viewing among our members and we expire those programs that do not. While we do not comment on our deals and partnerships, expect some of the A&E and History programming to drop and some to remain on Netflix.”

But other sources told Variety the negotiations are not over and that talks will resume later this week that could change which, if any, content stays or goes before the Friday deadline. A sticking point is said to be Netflix’s insistence on getting exclusivity for some or all of the programming, which A&E Networks may not be willing to grant.

Losing the programming would be the biggest content hit since the exit of Starz, which in February licensed digital rights to top films from Disney and Sony.

See the Variety story here

2 COMMENTS

  1. I want Intervention and Hoarders back. I need those shows to feel better about my own issues! Thanks a lot Netflix, you have become a format to stream b movies and crappy tv shows that had no ratings in the first place. Why buy Revenge’s first season? Everyone has already streamed it on
    Hulu last season right after it had aired. Maybe you should focus and current content like Hulu and older fan favorites such as A & E shows you just pulled if you want people to keep your streaming services.

  2. i totally agree with naomi on this issue.a&e programs are very informative and educational as well as entertaining.please bring all these shows back.i am a loyal customer and will remain so.i just want these shows back.hurry please.

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