New CW Shows Won't Automatically Stream on Netflix as Deal Ends
The relationship between The CW and Netflix is changing.
Since 2011, a deal has automatically brought all CW shows from to Netflix shortly after their seasons end, but that will reportedly no longer be the case. The agreement, which was extended in 2016, has now not been renewed, according to Deadline. That means new shows will be shopped around to various streamers and Netflix will have to bid for those it wants.
Fans of the current CW shows on Netflix such as "Riverdale," "The Flash," and "Dynasty" won't see any changes; past and future seasons will continue to stream on Netflix. It's new shows like "Katy Keene," "Nancy Drew," and "Batwoman" that could land elsewhere. WarnerMedia and CBS own The CW, as THR notes, so their streaming services may choose to nab the rights to the shows they produce. "Batwoman," for example, is expected to end up on WarnerMedia's upcoming service as it's part of the Warner Bros. TV-owned DC Arrowverse, per Deadline.
A lot is changing in streaming right now, and as more streamers launch, there will be increased competition. Companies including Disney, WarnerMedia, and NBCUniversal are all set to launch their own streaming services in 2019 and 2020, while CBS, HBO, and others have already done so. Additionally, Hulu is now fully controlled by Disney. Somehow, we doubt the end of the deal between The CW and Netflix is the last shakeup we'll see.
