Netflix ink U.K. indie deals

LONDON -- Momentum Pictures and Lionsgate U.K. is going to be one of the primary U.K. indie distribs to register with Netflix, which confirmed Monday that it'll expand its services to Blighty and Ireland early the coming year. Netflix's confirmation from the European expansion uses Daily Variety reported this news in This summer (Variety, This summer 15) that the organization was planning for a proceed to Europe following its announcement it was entering Latin America. Although particulars from the handles Momentum and Lionsgate haven't yet been revealed and confirmed by Netflix, the pacts will probably begin to see the two distribs inked in exclusive lengthy-term deals for that service, whereby game titles in the distribs is going to be on the service throughout the pay TV window. This news uses Netflix confirmed in August that it might be starting in The country within the first quarter of 2012. Netflix's arrival in Blighty and Ireland the coming year heralds the truth that digital landscape within the territory is altering in a fast pace. Rival VOD and subscription VOD service Lovefilm, that is possessed by Amazon . com, has inked lengthy-term exclusive handles eOne and Studiocanal, that will see game titles in the distribs (for example "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" from eOne and "Source Code" from Studiocanal) on the service. Lovefilm continues to be boosting its game to challenge BSkyB's monopoly from the U.K. pay TV market, with Netflix's arrival within the territory the coming year, these gamers are opening doorways for that indies. Many indie distribs in Blighty had typically found terms that BSkyB had agreed to be unfair because it has typically offered indies much more compact deals -- if any -- of computer agreed to the Hollywood majors. Lovefilm and Netflix's terms are thought to become a a lot more lucrative selection for the indies, and appear set to become a welcome relief on their behalf because the DVD market is constantly on the shrink. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com