Netflix has expanded the bucket of TV shows and movies from Disney-ABC Television Group it can stream to subscribers -- including content from Disney Channel and now ABC Family -- although the deal limits Netflix's access to shows no sooner than 15 days after initial telecast.
The companies said the new licensing agreement adds "hundreds" of episodes to Netflix's streaming queue from the ABC Television Network, Disney Channel and ABC Family. The 15-day embargo appears to be a concession to assuage Disney-ABC's traditional cable, satellite and telco distribution partners.
The content covered under the deal includes:
* Disney Channel's Phineas and Ferb and Good Luck Charlie, which are new to Netflix; updated and expanded offerings of The Suite Life on Deck and Wizards of Waverly Place; and library offerings from Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
* ABC Family's series Greek, Make It or Break It, The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Melissa & Joey.
* Prior season episodes of ABC series Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters, plus every episode of Lost and Ugly Betty.
* Full seasons of several series from ABC Studios, including Scrubs and Reaper, which are both new additions to Netflix.
Movies from Disney Channel and ABC Family under the agreement include High School Musical, High School Musical 2, Camp Rock, Beauty & the Briefcase, Avalon High, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam and Revenge of the Bridesmaids.
"TV content streamed from Netflix has proven to be immensely popular with our members," Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said. "Adding to our existing Disney-ABC lineup with great network and cable shows, and opening up ABC Family for the first time, are important steps in creating a wide and diverse selection of content Netflix members of all ages can watch."
Netflix had 16.9 million subscribers at the end of September 2010. The company last month introduced a $7.99 per month streaming-only subscription plan to U.S. customers, while it raised prices for its DVDs-by-mail packages between 11% and 18%.
The Netflix instant-streaming feature is available via more than 200 devices, including Roku set-tops, TiVos, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation3 game consoles, and multiple Blu-ray Disc players and HDTVs.
