MAD MEN: An Update On The Critical Darling's Future

So after numerous back-and-forth negotiations, AMC, Lionsgate, and Creator/Exec. Producer Matthew Weiner have come to a conclusion for contract negotiations for MAD MEN just this past week.  Thankfully, after some hardball on Weiner's part, the AMC critically acclaimed darling of a show has been scheduled in for a total of seven seasons (provided the numbers remain the same, of course).  But the biggest concern in the talks were the salaries and the number of series regulars cast members.  Weiner fought hard to retain the large cast and their higher salaries as the series enters it's fifth season, even willing to take a lower pay himself.  Though these arduous talks were long and tedious, some entering the wee-hours, the decision has been made, and the show is saved.  However, all this power-talk means time has been wasted while making deals.  This means that there is to be a long hiatus between season four (which concluded in the fall) and season five (which won't begin until 2012).

So, hoping to keep MAD MEN fresh and relevant (and maybe help the hype of the much-anticipated season five), Lionsgate TV and Netflix have cut a syndication deal.  Basically, Netflix now owns the exclusive rights to non-internet MAD MEN content.  By non-internet, I mean subscriber based, which is of course is what Netflix does best.  This means that starting July 27th, 2011 any Netflix subscriber can watch season one thru four thru instant streaming.  This is a huge deal and the numbers are coming in around $1 million per episode paid to Lionsgate TV.  And to make a sweet deal even sweeter, Netflix has secured the rights to the remaining seasons (five thru seven) for the next five years.  So until 2016, all MAD MEN episodes can be available via Netflix.  The only hitch (though this is not surprising) is that the seasons yet to come will only be available on Netflix after the season has concluded.

This is a major deal for both sides.  For Lionsgate TV, it gets to place MAD MEN (a coveted drama, yes, but an obscure one that may have trouble finding syndication deals in traditional routes and markets) in a syndicated arena while still maintaing TV syndication rights, just in case.  And then for Netflix, MAD MEN adds a lot to its sometimes disappointing content for instant streaming.  Sure, there's DOCTOR WHO and some other notable television shows, but really, the content is subpar.  With MAD MEN, Netflix gains some prestige in the eyes of TV and film execs since the show is so revered and thus may help to gain further content of the same quality.  All in all, MAD MEN is here to stay, and thank God cause there is finally something good to watch on TV (and Netflix).

Check out the trailer for an earlier season here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTmIw_Ns2Gw&feature=related

And check this out, a little parody of MAD MEN.  Check out MAD MEN IN 60 SECONDS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X654tkCvoQ&feature=related

FACEBOOK To Offer Movie Streaming.

So, epic social networking site Facebook has joined the content streaming bandwagon.  Just like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and other Video-On-Demand (VOD) sites Facebook has decided to offer movies via their fan pages for their consumers.  This means that companies like Netflix and Red Box will have some difficulties retaining their audiences (Netflix's stock has decreased 6% due to this news).

Facebook has decided to start slowly.  They have begun with Nolan's THE DARK KNIGHT as a guinea pig, selling the full film content for three Facebook credits (about $3.00).  This means that after the transaction has occurred, within about 48 hours you will have access to the content.  Facebook (and WB execs) think that if you create a habit of visiting Facebook anyways (like 600 million people do), why not have streaming content available to 1) keep you on Facebook longer, and 2) to gain more profit from what you already do (watch movies and visit Facebook).

If the results are deemed successful, then the content streaming abilities will be rolled out to other Warner Bros. films, and then since Hollywood works best on peer pressure, others are sure to follow.  But the real question is if consumers will really want to watch films on Facebook.  I think the jury is still out on that one, but my guess is that it will become wildly popular, further distancing Facebook from it's original purpose, connecting friends.

So, what do you think?  Do you like that Facebook is offering streamed content online?  Or is it too far out of Facebook's realm?