Starz delays Netflix debut of Camelot

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment

Days after Showtime said it will pull some of its original programming from Netflix's Watch Instantly, Starz has announced some changes to its Netflix lineup, saying it will delay the Netflix debut of "Camelot" for 90 days.

Starz is set to debut its original series, "Camelot," on April 1. As reported by the LA Times, Starz was originally scheduled to debut "Camelot" via Netflix Watch Instantly on April 2, but will now wait 90 days until the show is viewable online.

Starz also plans to delay movies, though a Netflix spokesman said there are "no changes to movies." As the LA Times notes, however, the companies' current contract expires in 2012, so the movie delays could be added to next year's negotiations.

Starz did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Showtime, meanwhile, will no longer provide some of its original programming to Netflix.

"With all the options out there, we want to be sure people know they have to subscribe to see Dexter or The Borgias," Showtime chief executive Matt Blank told Crain's New York Business.

A Showtime spokesman, however, said that some shows, like The Tudors and Sleeper Cell, which no longer air originals, will continue to be available to Netflix subscribers.

Premium channel HBO has never had a presence on Netflix streaming.

The news comes one week after Netflix announced plans to air its own original programming. Starting next year, Netflix will air the TV series "House of Cards" exclusively via Watch Instantly. The series will be available to U.S. and Canadian customers, and Netflix has committed to at least 26 episodes of the series, which is based on a BBC mini-series from the 1990s.

Netflix will not produce or own the show, but it is agreeing to license it before anyone else.

This article, written by Chloe Albanesius, originally appeared on PCMag.com and is republished on Gear Live with the permission of Ziff Davis, Inc.