Netflix is losing hit blockbusters The Hunger Games, World War Z, Transformers and more

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games

STREAMING movie giant Netflix will lose a number of hit blockbusters next month after it decided not to renew its licensing deal with Epix.

 

Netflix has announced it will not be renewing its licensing deal with Epix when its current contract expires at the end of September.

The movie streaming firm said it would be putting a greater emphasis on original content.

Epic is a joint venture by a number of US film studios including Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lionsgate.

A number of high-profile blockbusters, including Hunger Games: Catching Fire, World War Z and Transformers: Age of Extinction, will disspear appear from the US streaming website when the deal expires next month.

 

“We hear from our members that you wish we had newer movies,” Chief Content Officer at Netflix Ted Sarandos wrote on the official company blog.

“So do we. Studio licensing practices means it often takes more than a year before consumers can watch a theatrically released movie when and how they want. 

It will take us time to build a robust slate of original movies, but we’re hard at work on it

Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer

 

“Just like we’ve changed the game for TV watchers by releasing entire seasons around the world at the same time, we have begun making movies that will premiere on Netflix globally and in some cases, simultaneously in theatres. 

“It will take us time to build a robust slate of original movies, but we’re hard at work on it with such great stars and directors as Brad Pitt, Ricky Gervais, Judd Apatow, Angelina Jolie, Sofia Coppola and Adam Sandler.”

The move underscores Netflix’s ongoing efforts to set itself apart from its competitors with original content.