Netflix to Offer Films from Open Road for Streaming

LOS ANGELES: A new multi-year deal sees movies distributed theatrically by Open Road Films being made available exclusively on Netflix for digital streaming following their DVD release, in what has traditionally been the pay-TV window.

Netflix members will gain instant access to watch Open Road Films’ titles streamed to various devices. The first of which to kick off the deal is the action thriller Killer Elite, starring Jason Statham, Robert DeNiro and Clive Owen. Also from Open Road, The Host, based on a book by Twilight author Stephenie Meyer, is set for theatrical release March 29, 2013. It too will be available for Netflix streaming in the future, along with a number of other titles to be announced soon.

Tom Ortenberg, Open Road Films’ CEO, said, “Netflix provides us the opportunity to bring Open Road Films titles to consumers in the most innovative ways possible, and this partnership is an important part of our new model for theatrical distribution. As we establish Open Road Films as a dynamic company, we couldn’t be more pleased about working with the team at Netflix as they continue to break new ground.”

Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer, added, “Netflix is happy to be in business with Tom Ortenberg and the rest of the team at Open Road Films. With their keen eye for commercial content and a savvy business plan, we are confident that Open Road will bring Netflix members a diverse array of successful and high-quality films.”

Netflix has a number of deals in place with studios that take over the traditional pay-TV window; Relativity Media was the first, then fellow indie FilmDistrict followed shortly after.