Google, hoping to continue to build YouTube's catalog of content, apparently is looking to land a deal with Hollywood stalwart Miramax Flims that would give the search giant digital rights to its catalog of films including hits like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill and No Country for Old Men. But sources close to the company say Netflix apparently is in the hunt as well.
The New York Post is reporting the Walt Disney Co. is close to finalizing a deal, announced in July, that would give Filmyard Holdings control of the studios for $664 million. That deal is expected to close Dec. 10 after struggling to find financing.
Both Google and Netflix are looking to expand their catalogs as consumer interest in streaming movies continues to gain momentum. Each of the companies has been looking for content, with Netflix scoring deal after deal of late, including its $1 billion deal with Epix.
But Google's deep pockets could give it an inside position in this battle, especially since it's also begun to lean heavily on recent hire--and former Netfix executive--Robert Kyncl as VP of content partnerships. Google has hopes that his connections in Hollywood will help it land some deals.
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Hollywood and Google TV... not exactly a match made in heaven