Netflix outbids HBO for DreamWorks deal

Netflix’s biggest real problem right now is that its streaming library isn’t as good as it needs to be, especially if it’s expecting to wean its customers off DVDs.

The latest upgrade: Starting in 2013, Netflix will have access to DreamWorks films, a deal it outspent HBO to get, according to the New York Times. And an interesting bit from the report:

For DreamWorks Animation, which has experienced a sharp erosion in its stock price over the last few months, the deal with Netflix comes with one major perk. HBO requires its studio partners to suspend digital sales of movies during its exclusive window, but Netflix will allow DreamWorks to keep selling digital downloads.

Anyway, expect to see Netflix continue to spend more money on streaming content — it has to, especially as Amazon continues to bulk up its own library, including a deal today with Fox.

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