In an sure-fire sign of their impending Australian launch, streaming giant Netflix has secured the subscription video on-demand rights for the highly anticipated new series “Gotham”.
Netflix has not yet launched its platform in Australia, but its acquisition of the “Gotham” rights from Time Warner’s Warner Bros solidifies previous rumours of a planned 2015 launch.
Warner Bros confirmed to Fairfax Media that Netflix had secured the exclusive SVOD rights for “Gotham” in Australia as a part of a larger internationally exclusive rights deal between the two companies.
Bruno Heller’s “Batman” prequel, will feature Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue and Jada Pinkett Smith in a large ensemble cast and will explore the early days of James Gordon, Bruce Wayne and Batman’s greatest enemies.
In a statement, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Ted Sarandos said that, “Gotham is the most anticipated new series of the fall season and we are thrilled to offer it to our members around the world.”
“The Batman origin story is sure to have massive global appeal so it is fitting that, along with Warner Television, we have created a new model for distributing a show that international and domestic audiences will love.”
The Australian broadcast, first-run, and in-season catch up rights to Gotham are held by Nine Entertainment. They will air Gotham later this year, meaning that if Netflix do launch they won’t be able to stream the series until some time after the TV broadcast.
According to Fairfax, that might be up to a year after the premiere of the show on Nine.
