Netflix kicked off the week by bolstering its "Watch Instantly" online streaming service, this time adding content from ABC.
"We're excited about this new agreement since it builds on a strong foundation with Disney-ABC Television Group," Netflix VP of content acquisition Robert Kyncl said in a statement. ""In all, we're providing Netflix members with some of the most popular and avidly followed shows on TV while working with an important business partner to help grow several of its key franchises."
The ABC content, which includes "Lost," "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," and "Legend of the Seeker," is already available online through the ABC web site, but the ability to stream it online is becoming increasingly appealing for consumers. Subscribers will now have the ability to watch the content -- even though some of the programs are available through Comcast On Demand -- on a full-size TV, as opposed to a computer screen.
Netflix's "Watch Instantly" service is available only for subscribers who pay at least $8 per month for the service -- some ABC content was first made available Aug. 1, with more content scheduled to roll out throughout the rest of the year.
I recently canceled my Netflix subscription, but adding additional streaming content will help convince subscribers to stay with the company, or perhaps renew their subscription. Furthermore, a growing number of devices -- ranging from the Microsoft Xbox 360 game console to the Roku Netflix player -- now have support for Netflix's popular streaming service.
Although the DVD rental business has been strong for Netflix, expanding its streaming catalog has been a major priority for some time now.
