Netflix Now to Stream More TV Shows from ABC and Disney Channel
This story was updated at 4:53 p.m. ET
In a deal announced today (Dec. 8), Netflix has expanded the catalog of television shows and made-for-TV movies that the company can stream across the Internet. New offerings from ABC and the Disney Channel will be made available to subscribers, and the agreement also brings shows from ABC Family into the Netflix fold for the first time.
Prior seasons of the current ABC hits "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives" and "Brothers & Sisters," as well as past hits "Lost" and "Ugly Betty" will be watchable on computers and compatible TVs.
Disney Channel faves "Phineas and Ferb" and "Good Luck Charlie" are set to make their Netflix debut as well, along with a host of ABC Family programs.
Netflix has embraced digital distribution and is increasingly moving away from its old bread-and-butter service of snail mailing DVDs to subscribers.
The company now offers a standalone streaming plan for $7.99 a month and DVD-swapping customers have seen small price increases recently.
The changeover is paying off: A report in October found that Netflix streaming accounts for an astonishing 20 percent of peak American Internet traffic during prime-time evening hours.
With the new deal, Netflix looks to keep pace in an increasingly hot streaming market where it butts heads not only with Hulu, but also Microsoft , Google and Apple.
"TV content streamed from Netflix has proven to be immensely popular with our members," said Ted Sarandos, the company’s chief content officer in a statement. "Adding to our existing Disney-ABC lineup with great network and cable shows, and opening up ABC Family for the first time, are important steps in creating a wide and diverse selection of content Netflix members of all ages can watch."
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