Netflix TV Shows Disappearing: Streaming Service To Lose 'Doctor Who' And More BBC Shows At The End Of January
It might be time to hit the throttle on that “Doctor Who” binge watch you’ve been working on. Netflix will reportedly be losing all of its BBC shows at the end of January.
The popular streaming service’s contract with the network across the pond will expire on Feb. 1, meaning that all of the titles that come to Netflix courtesy of the British Broadcasting Company will be immediately removed, according to The Huffington Post.
This means no more shows like “Luther,” “Black Adder,” “Fawlty Towers,” “Coupling,” “Top Gear,” the original British version of “House of Cards” and, most tragically of all, “Doctor Who.” This comes as a major blow to many fans of the popular science-fiction series because its availability on Netflix played a big part in growing its popularity in the United States. “Doctor Who” has been on the rise in the U.S. since its re-piloting in 2010. The show topped Netflix’s top 10 most-streamed shows in 2013, according to a report from CNET.
Luckily for those who watch BBC shows on Netflix, all hope is not lost. It’s entirely possible that executives at the company are hard at work trying to renew the contract with the BBC to keep these popular shows on the streaming service. The International Business Times reached out to Netflix to see if it’s in negotiations with the BBC, but no one was immediately available for comment.
Although losing its BBC content would be bad for Netflix, the streaming service is leaning more toward original content these days with several new shows premiering in 2015, including “Daredevil” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” Season 3 of the U.S. version of “House of Cards” and Netflix’s popular prison dramedy “Orange is the New Black” are set to return in 2015 as well. Kevin Spacey recently took home a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Frank Underwood on the drama.
To see all the shows that are in peril if Netflix doesn’t renew its contract with the BBC, head on over to What’s on Netflix for the complete list.
UPDATE (1/17/15): A representative from Netflix has confirmed to the International Business Times that several BBC shows have been renewed including:
- Classic Doctor Who; 18 Collections
- Copper, Seasons 1-2
- Doctor Who, Seasons 1-7
- House of Cards Trilogy
- Keeping Up Appearances, Season 1
- Luther, Seasons 1-3
- Monarch of the Glen, Seasons 1-6
- North & South
- The Buccaneers
- The Office (U.K.), Seasons 1-2
- Torchwood, Seasons 1-4
- Wallander, Seasons 1-3
These shows will continue to stream on the service with no interruption whatsoever. However, "Faulty Towers," "Blackadder," "MI-5" and "Red Dwarf" are "among others" that will be removed from Netflix as of Feb. 1.
According to the comment from Netflix, not all BBC shows were a part of this renewal deal. "'Call the Midwife,' 'Happy Valley,' 'Sherlock,' 'The Honorable Woman,' etc. are/were not a part of this deal and will continue to be available on the service."
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