Picture: Various logos of acquired studios/content material for Netflix
Netflix has prided itself on being builders over patrons however that’s begun to alter in recent times with the streaming service buying a number of various corporations and IP. Below, we’ll take a look at each content material IP acquisition, animation/VFX studio, sport studio, and property acquisition in its historical past.
Like a few of our different intensive lists, similar to our complete deal checklist, this checklist will likely be up to date over time, so hold it bookmarked. It was first printed in March 2022 and was final up to date in July 2022.
Content Acquisitions
This class is little doubt probably the most thrilling to shoppers. Content is the secret for streaming companies, and corporations like Walt Disney and Amazon have beefed up their libraries and IP with their acquisitions of twentieth Century Fox and MGM, respectively. It’s additionally probably the most disappointing for Netflix to this point, in our opinion.
While we might get into semantics about what particularly counts as content material acquisition, we’re particularly speaking about IP or studios purchased into Netflix fairly than simply buying licenses to stream particular content material or unique distributions.
Millarworld
Acquired in: August 2017
Mark Millar is a famend Scottish comedian ebook author who lower his enamel on the likes of DC and Marvel. In 2004, Millar began his personal writer creating titles like Kick-Ass and Kingsman which have been efficiently tailored for the large display screen.
In its acquisition, Netflix acquired the writer and the rights to supply new TV and films. 17 franchises have been established earlier than being bought to Netflix. Since Netflix purchased Millarworld, that quantity is now sitting at 24 franchises.
2022 will mark the fifth 12 months of Millarworld being underneath Netflix and to this point, they’ve launched two Netflix Original sequence (Jupiter’s Legacy and Supercrooks) and not less than 8 new comedian entries.
There’s lots extra on the way in which too as we glance into by way of our Millarworld preview.
StoryBots
Date Acquired: May 2019
On the child’s entrance, Netflix picked up the StoryBots franchise from JibJab Bros. Studios and signed up Evan and Gregg Spiridellis to total offers on the service again in May 2019.
Since the acquisition, A StoryBots Space Adventure and StoryBots: Laugh, Learn, Sing have been launched onto the service.
The Roald Dahl Story Company
Acquired in: September 2021
Roald Dahl is the late British novelist who wrote books primarily geared toward youngsters and have bought 1 / 4 a billion copies worldwide. Netflix already had a pact with The Roald Dahl Story Company however tied the knot in September 2021.
According to the press launch, the deal means Netflix could have publishing rights to all the again catalog and seeks a “the creation of a unique universe across animated and live-action films and TV, publishing, games, immersive experiences, live theatre, consumer products and more.”
Studio Netflix Acquisitions
Scanline VFX
Acquired in: November 2021
Scanline VFX, established in 1989, is a VFX firm with places of work in Vancouver, Montreal, Los Angeles, London, Munich, Stuttgart, and Seoul.
The VFX studio has labored on a number of Netlfix tasks up till the acquisition, together with Cowboy Bebop, Blood Red Sky, The Adam Project, and Stranger Things season 4.
Animal Logic
Acquired in: July 2022 (anticipated to shut in late 2022)
Netflix’s animation output has steadily been rising over time with most Netflix Originals within the style both purchased in from different studios or produced internally at Netflix Animation.
Animal Logic was their first main acquisition within the house with the studio finest identified for engaged on Peter Rabbit 1 and a pair of for Sony and The Lego Movies.
The acquisition got here alongside the Q2 2022 investor letter. The studios first tasks for Netflix consists of The Magician’s Elephant and The Shrinking of Treehorns.
Netflix Gaming Acquisitions
Netflix’s gaming ambitions on the time of publishing are nonetheless but to be totally realized. A crack crew has been put collectively however Netflix has already made two early motion pictures within the house as we’ll come onto in a second.
Night School Studio LLC
Acquired in: September 2021
The first main acquisition for Netflix video games got here a pair months earlier than video games even have been obtainable on the service. Night School Studio is the primary gaming studio to come back underneath Netflix’s umbrella. They’re identified for OXENFREE.
According to the Night School Studio press launch, they bought to Netflix as a result of the service “gives film, TV, and now game makers an unprecedented canvas to create and deliver excellent entertainment to millions of people.”
Next Games
Acquired in: March 2022
Netflix will likely be choosing up cell sport studio Next Games for 65 million euros. The Finnish studio has labored with Netflix earlier than. They notably labored on and launched Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales.
Boss Fight
Acquired in: March 2022
Also bought in March 2022 was the cell sport studio headquartered in Texas, Boss Fight Entertainment. The studio is finest identified for its cell sport Dungeon Boss.
Spry Fox
Acquired in: October 2022
Behind Alphabear, Road Not Taken, Triple Town, and Cozy Grove, the impartial developer is based totally out of Seattle however has staff worldwide. The firm was based in 2010.
At the time of acquisition, Spry Fox would develop into Netflix’s sixth inner video games studio.
In a weblog publish on Spry Fox’s web site, they define what the acquisition means for them, saying:
“We can proceed making the video games that we have been already making and wished to make, however with extra assist and assets to make these video games higher and convey them to extra individuals around the globe.
We can cease stressing about how our video games generate revenue on our video games and as an alternative focus solely on making them as satisfying and fulfilling to our gamers as attainable.
We can collaborate with different inventive individuals inside Netflix to hopefully get higher at what we do and the way we do it.”
Property Acquisitions
Albuquerque Studios
Acquired in: October 2018
Netflix principally leases studio house across the globe however it opted to buy the studio again in 2018. The studio has 9 sound phases, manufacturing places of work, and a backlot.
According to an additional report from Variety, Netflix picked up the studio for $30 million which is round 3 occasions lower than what it value to construct.
Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre
Acquired in: May 2020
First opened in 1922, Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre has a singular half in Los Angeles and Hollywood historical past.
Netflix notably holds lots of its TV and film premieres on the Egyptian Theatre since its acquisition, such because the premiere for Locke & Key season 2.
Netflix’s head of movies on the time of the acquisition announcement stated:
“We’re honored to partner with the American Cinematheque to preserve the theater’s storied legacy and continue providing remarkable film experiences for audiences. We look forward to expanding programming at the theater in ways that will benefit both cinema lovers and the community.”
This is the second theatre within the United States Netflix has a vested curiosity in. It additionally secured a long-term lease deal for New York’s Paris Theatre.
What ought to Netflix purchase subsequent? Let us know within the feedback or alternatively learn one business knowledgeable’s opinions on what to accumulate subsequent right here.