NURSE JACKIE, CALIFORNICATION soon to be dropped from Netflix Streaming

Popular Showtime shows, Nurse Jackie and Californication, are set to be dropped from Netflix streaming as part of new deal. Instead, these shows will only be available via the Showtime Anytime broadband service and will only be available to Showtime customers. 

According to The Wrap, the length of new deal is not known and starts this summer. Netflix's spokesperson simply stated the deal was "ongoing" and declined further comment. Series that have completed, such as The Tudors or Brotherhood, will continue to be streamed to Netflix subscribers. 

Showtime's Anytime broadband is a prime example of the threat that streaming poses to paid TV channels. Cable providers should feel threatened, many customers (myself included) have dropped their premium channels. It only made sense to me because Netflix has greatly expanded its online offerings thanks to deals with Starz and Epix. The days of Showtime and HBO dominating the cable world are over.

Netflix has aimed its guns directly at cable providers by jumping into original programming. They recently purchased the upcoming Kevin Spacey series House of Cards. This is a big reason that Showtime decided not to continue with their streaming deal with Netflix, which makes sense to me.

Showtime is not the only company taking aim at the streaming content market. With Screen Media Ventures and Amazon announcing streaming services, the playing field has gotten a lot wider.

What are your thoughts on this news?