Here's what it might cost Netflix to keep 'The Office'
What's the story
The Office is a popular US television show. Adapted for American television by Greg Daniels, it is based on the original British show by Ricky Gervais.
It ran on NBC for 9 seasons from 2005 to 2013 and Netflix started streaming reruns from 2011.
Now, with NBC launching their own streaming platform, here's how much Netflix might have to pay, to keep The Office.
New streamers
NBC is launching its own streaming service soon
NBCUniversal, the rights owners of The Office is launching their own streaming service in 2020.
Unlike Disney which did not renew the Netflix deals to stream their movies on the platform, NBC plans to allow Netflix to continue streaming their shows.
However, NBC's entry into the streaming market could drive up the rates of popular shows on their channel like The Office.
Competition
NBC's CEO wants to command prices of their shows
NBCUniversal's CEO Steve Burke expressed a desire to sell their content to other competitors, even after the launch of NBC's own platform.
However, it would depend on the show and the prices they could command for those products.
Speaking at the parent company, Comcast's earnings call on Wednesday, January 23, he continued, "I think it is going to be very positive for us financially".
Quote
NBC Entertainment's President wants to ask Netflix for more money
NBC Entertainment's President, Bob Greenblatt said, "I believe that Netflix has helped make The Office... more popular than it was when it was on the network... If we knew how popular it was going to be...we would have asked for more money from them!"
Big money
Netflix might pay exorbitantly high to keep 'The Office'
Netflix, as we reported, already paid an exorbitant amount of around $100 million or Rs. 711 crore to keep streaming WarnerMedia's popular show, F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
Considering the popularity of The Office, which still gets repeat streams as well as new viewers, Netflix might just be willing to shell out the same amount as they did for F.R.I.E.N.D.S, to keep the show on their platform.
Personal
Netflix has its own version of 'The Office' lined up
Even if Netflix loses the rights to keep The Office, the streaming giants have their own version of a workplace comedy lined up. It will be helmed by Greg Daniels, starring Steve Carell and will be based on Trump's proposed Space Force.