Netflix and Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG) extended their exclusive licensing deal that grants the streamer’s U.S. users access to the film studio’s animated films.
The agreement is a multi-year deal that guarantees the Netflix’s rights to stream animated Universal films, building upon its existing agreement with Illumination to now include DreamWorks Animation films, including Shrek and many others. The pact stipulates that upcoming Universal and DreamWorks animated films such as Minions: The Rise of Gru, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and The Bad Guys will appear on Netflix at the end of their four-month window on Peacock, the streaming platform NBCUniversal launched in 2020.
Colin Morawski, Netflix’s director of studio licensing, said the streamer is ecstatic to provide subscribers with children with animated films that they can watch over and over again.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with UFEG to bring more films from Illumination and DreamWorks Animation to our Netflix audience,” Morawski said. “As we’ve seen with our slate, Netflix families love watching and rewatching animated films, and this deal allows us to expand our library to bring our audience more of what they want to watch.”
Netflix will also have access to animated and live-action movies from UFEG about four years after their theatrical release, as well as rights to select titles from Universal’s large film library.
“Netflix has been a terrific partner and we’re thrilled to expand our relationship,” Peter Levinsohn, UFEG’s vice chairman and chief distribution officer, said. “Universal Filmed Entertainment Group produces some of the biggest animated franchises and boldest originals from some of the most influential, impactful and inspiring creators in the industry. This exciting agreement further demonstrates the importance of that content to our distribution partners as they grow their audiences and deliver the very best in entertainment.”
Netflix and Universal’s extended animated film licensing deal comes one week after the latter company announced it was moving its pay-one window for feature films from HBO to Peacock in an effort to bolster its new streaming service.
In addition to licensing DreamWorks animated films, Netflix developed animated shows based on the studio’s existing franchises, including All Hail King Julien, Dawn of the Croods, Dragons: Rescue Riders, Trolls: The Beat Goes On and Spirit: Riding Free.
Source: Netflix
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