Even before the pandemic led to widespread lockdowns, studios have been looking for the best way to enter streaming. Over the last several years, we have seen the launch of Disney Plus, HBO Max, Paramount Plus, and Peacock. While other studios invested in developing their streaming platforms, Sony came up with a more elegant solution: selling licensing rights to an existing streaming service.
SlashFilm reports Sony and Netflix signed a multi-year exclusive deal that will add the studio’s latest movies to the world’s leading streaming platform. From 2022, Sony’s movies will become available on Netflix after an 18-month window during which they will be in theaters and on home video. This would bring upcoming titles like Morbius, Uncharted, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse sequel to Netflix. Besides, there is a decent chance an entire catalog of older titles – including a hundred years of films by Columbia Pictures – might become available as well. Furthermore, Netflix will also help finance future Sony titles.
While both companies have been collaborating at least since 2014, this deal will bring their partnership to an entirely new level. Sony will gain access to an established streaming platform, while Netflix will get heaps of new content, helping it stay ahead of its competitors in streaming wars.