Netflix Reaches Licensing Deal For Cartoon Network, Adult Swim Shows

Netfix has secured licensing rights to Cartoon Network and Adult Swim animated and live-action programming as well as season one of TNT’s Dallas as part of an agreement announced Monday between Netflix, Warner Bros. Television Group and Turner Broadcasting System Inc.

Netflix beginning March 30 will offer complete past seasons of Cartoon Networks shows such as Adventure Time, Ben 10, Regular Show, Johnny Bravo and Green Lantern as part of their “Just for Kids” section, according to network officials. The Internet TV subscription service will also offer Adult Swim shows such as Robot Chicken, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Sony Pictures Television’s The Boondocks and Warner’s Childrens Hospital.

The deal also includes the first two seasons of TNT’s hit series Dallas, which will appear on Netflix beginning in January 2014, said the network.

"The industry has evolved so that TV Everywhere and subscription video on-demand services can coexist with the appropriate windowing strategy, while allowing for more content flexibility to meet consumer demand in the changing digital landscape," Deborah K. Bradley, senior vice president of program acquisitions for Turner Broadcasting, said in a statement. "We’re happy to offer our popular programming to Netflix members, as SVOD services have become another way to grow audiences and can introduce new viewers to our programming.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.