Dreamworks Animation, which learned the hard way last year that not every film it makes can be a hit, is trying to get into television. However, instead of going the traditional route, it is teaming with Netflix to create more original television projects.
According to the New York Times, DWA has committed to producing 300 hours of original content for the streaming service in the biggest Hollywood commitment to Internet TV to date. The shows will use DWA’s familiar characters like Shrek and The Croods, as well as the Classic Media characters it bought last year. The Classic MEdia library includes Casper the Friendly Ghost, Rocky & Bullwinkle and many more.
DWA CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg made the bold decision in 2011 to end its deal with HBO and instead sign a streaming deal with Netflix. Then in February, the company announced a Turbo: F.A.S.T., the first exclusive Netflix series. It is based on the new DWA film Turbo, which hits theaters on July 19.
DWA is in need of another route for its projects. After Rise of the Guardians flopped in December 2012, many wondered if the brand has been tarnished. While The Croods returned the company to good fortunes, the lack of success from Guardians likely taught the studio that making films exclusively isn’t as profitable as it used to be.
As for Netflix, this is just the latest battle won in the war for streaming supremacy. The DWA deal comes just days after Amazon signed a deal with Viacom for Nickelodeon programming.
image: Amazon