CBS signs two-year deal with Netflix; Canadian group assails the concept

If you've missed the annual Twilight Zone marathons on SyFy or been in the dumps without Cheers because nobody knows your name, you're in luck. Beginning in early April, CBS has agreed to free up those, and certain other classic TV shows, to Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) as part of a two-year streaming deal.

The deal means that "Netflix is now the only online premium subscription service with shows featured on all four broadcast networks and dozens of cable TV's biggest brands," Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a news release.

The Netflix news wasn't quite so chipper north of the border. The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) says Netflix should be made to abide by the same rules that cover Canadian cable companies who are required to use part of their revenue to fund Canadian production and dedicate part of their programming to Canadian content.

"There's an argument that they should be making a contribution to the Canadian system and it should be looked at," Norm Bolen, president-CEO of CMPA said.

For more:
- see this news release
- the Montreal Gazette has this story

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