Netflix adds more Fox content to streaming including Glee S1, Ally McBeal

In a nice rebound from last week, Netflix is expanding its non-exclusive agreement with Fox for content, bringing older shows Ally McBeal and The Wonder Years to Watch Instantly for the first time. Also arriving are the first season of Glee and the first two seasons of Sons of Anarchy from FX with additional seasons to be added annually, as well as "a number of library movies" after their premium pay-tv windows subside. It's not exactly the cable TV competing type of deal that it just locked up with Paramount in Canada, but fans of those shows have a few more reasons to hang on to the service. Beyond the announcement a slew of new content popped up on the service today including the just-aired premiere episode of Body of Proof, BBC stuff like Top Gear and Luther, a few James Bond flicks and anime like Inuyasha and Bleach, so even if you're not a gleek (and disappointed because if Netflix and Fox are talking, the only topics of discussion should be commissioning new seasons of Firefly and Terriers) there's plenty of reasons to update that queue today.

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX AND NETFLIX ANNOUNCE DISTRIBUTION DEAL WHICH MAKES "GLEE" AND "SONS OF ANARCHY" AVAILABLE TO WATCH INSTANTLY FROM NETFLIX STARTING APRIL 1

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – April 1, 2011- Twentieth Century Fox (Fox) and Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] today announced that the companies have amended and expanded their non-exclusive digital distribution agreement, adding additional titles from Fox's extensive television and movie library.

This new multi-year agreement allows Netflix to provide its members with instant access to a greater variety of programming, including additional television series such as the first season of the Emmy-award winning "Glee" and the first two seasons of the cult favorite "Sons of Anarchy" beginning on April 1, with additional seasons being added annually.
In addition, library series such as "Ally McBeal" and "The Wonder Years" will stream instantly for the first time from Netflix. Fox will also make a number of library movies available to Netflix after their premium pay television license periods conclude.

"Our expanded non-exclusive streaming arrangement with Netflix maintains Fox's flexibility to effectively manage both the content we offer, and the appropriate window of availability relative to our other distribution partnerships," said Peter Levinsohn, president of new media and digital distribution for Fox Filmed Entertainment. "We look forward to working with Netflix and our other partners to further enhance the choices available to audiences."

"We've worked closely with Fox for the last year to provide our members access to some of the studio's greatest TV franchises and library of both contemporary and classic movies," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer. "Our members love TV shows, and making such pop-culture hits like 'Glee' and 'Sons of Anarchy' available to watch instantly reinforces our commitment to provide them a wider selection of programs."

Previously, the streaming agreement with Fox made a wide variety of prior seasons of hit TV shows available instantly from Netflix, including "Lie to Me," "24," "Prison Break," "Arrested Development," "Buffy The Vampire Slayer," "X-Files" and many more.

Now in its sophomore season, "Glee" is a biting musical comedy about a group of eager and ambitious students who strive to outshine their singing competition to win Nationals, while navigating the cruel halls of McKinley High. The show boasts critical acclaim, a loyal fan base of "GLEEks," two Platinum and two Gold albums, more than 21 million song downloads, the record for the most titles on the Billboard Hot 100 by a non-solo act, an incredible 19 Emmy nominations and four Emmy Awards.

"Sons of Anarchy," an adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones, explores a notorious outlaw motorcycle club's desire to protect its livelihood while ensuring that their simple, sheltered town of Charming, California remains exactly that. Charming. "SOA" is now in its third season on FX.

About Fox Filmed Entertainment: One of the world's largest producers and distributors of motion pictures and television shows, Fox Filmed Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of FFE: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox International Productions and Twentieth Century Fox Animation.

About Netflix: With more than 20 million members in the United States and Canada, Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] is the world's leading Internet subscription service for enjoying movies and TV shows. For $7.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed over the Internet to PCs, Macs and TVs. Among the large and expanding base of devices streaming from Netflix are Microsoft's Xbox 360, Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PS3. consoles; an array of Blu-ray disc players, Internet-connected TVs, home theater systems, digital video recorders and Internet video players; Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, as well as Apple TV and Google TV. In all, more than 200 devices that stream from Netflix are available in the U.S. and a growing number are available in Canada.