Hybrid media keeps emerging. First there was news that Facebook pines to partner with major broadcasters, seeking to supply news updates for one billion devoted users. Then NBC News began adding its content to SnapChat. Now comes another revelation. Netflix is developing its own news show.
MarketWatch reports that the streaming giant is “poised to enter the TV news business,” starting with a weekly news magazine show for its 118 million subscribers.
“Netflix has spotted a hole in the market for a current affairs TV show encompassing both sides of the political divide and are seeking to fill it,” said an unnamed source.
Netflix has already hired talkmeisters such as David Letterman and Norm MacDonald to chat up current affairs. Reports have also surfaced that Netflix is in “advanced” negotiations with former President Barack Obama to produce his own series.
“So many news shows consist of talking heads rehashing opinions with minimal crews operating in the field. So there’s no reason why Netflix couldn’t do a better reporting job than how CNN is doing at the moment,” veteran TV new director Heywood Gould told Marketwatch.
Former CBS anchor Dan Rather also had a comment.
“I’m available,” he advised.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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