Rumour: Netflix offers two-season deal for Spacey's 'House of Cards'

by Steven Mostyn - Mar 17 2011, 06:47

Recently labelled the Internet’s leading destination for movie streaming, video-on-demand (VoD) specialist Netflix is now looking to expand into the field of original programming.

According to Deadline, Netflix is currently competing with industry heavyweights HBO and AMC in an attempt to secure Media Rights Capital’s hot new drama series ‘House of Cards’.

Securing the show could well turn into a three-way tussle as it not only stars award-winning actor Kevin Spacey, it is also helmed by innovative Hollywood director David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club, The Social Network).

Although not yet confirmed, Netflix is apparently being extremely proactive in its efforts and has tabled an astonishing double-season deal (26 episodes) thought to be worth more than $100 million USD.

Such an offer clearly reflects the streaming company’s eagerness to increase its reach, not least because show acquisition is usually a cautious process involving a tentative pilot or a short-term deal covering 6-13 episodes.

As of yet, neither Netflix nor Media Rights Capital has offered up official comment on where House of Cards is likely to land.

Rumours of the planned programming leap come after market research revealed Netflix’s industry dominance where the streaming of movies and TV shows is concerned.

In January of 2011, Netflix provided 61 percent of all the movies downloaded in the United States, while the likes of DirecTV, Warner Cable and Apple iTunes could only muster four percent each.

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