Netflix, DreamWorks extend programming deal

Netflix and DreamWorks have extended a programming agreement in a deal that will give the streaming service several new originals from the animation studio, as well as a raft of library titles.

New shows coming out of DreamWorks exclusively for Netflix include a reboot of space exploration series Voltron, and Trollhunters, an original series from Guillermo del Toro about two friends who discover a fantastical new world.

Anime-inspired Voltron originally aired in the 1980s with a Nickelodeon reboot following in 2011.

DreamWorks said it will work up other original series based on both its feature films and original ideals, as part of the agreement.

The pair struck a three-year, 12-show content deal, in 2013. That included kids series including Turbo: F.A.S.T., which was Netflix’s first kids original and at the time DreamWorks’ boss Jeffrey Katzenberg said the deal would likely run for longer, and to more series.

The agreement announced today means Netflix will become the global home of several new DreamWorks’ series, excluding China, where Netflix doesn’t currently have a service.

Netflix also gets the DreamWorks Animation feature film library, with all of the studio’s catalogue titles carried on its platform.

The streaming service also gets a wider range of rights to the series it already has, taking second window rights to series including The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Dinotrux, Dragons: Race to the Edge.

Cindy Holland, vice president of original series for Netflix said: “It’s with great pleasure that we expand on an already successful relationship with DreamWorks Animation to bring more premium kids and family television to Netflix members globally.”

“This agreement adds to the incredible foundation we’ve built together with Netflix over a number of years across both film and television,” added Ann Daly (pictured), president of DreamWorks Animation.