Netflix has been fishing for content to shake up Hollywood, and has landed its biggest catch with one of TV’s most proficient and high profile producers. At least we now know why the service hiked its monthly fee up a few bucks this year.
In what’s being talked about as “the deal of a lifetime for an artist of a lifetime” the hardest working producer in showbiz, Ryan Murphy, has signed a five-year deal with Netflix, estimated at between $250 to $300 dollars. With this deal, which begins on July 1, Ryan and his self-titled production company will produce content exclusively for the streaming service.
Ryan is the latest big “get” for the service. Back in August, Netflix signed a four-year deal with Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rimes, estimated at around $100 million. The company has also signed on some of comedy’s biggest names, including Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, Adam Sandler (note I didn’t say “comedy’s funniest names”) and Chris Rock, whose first stand up special in ten years debuted yesterday.
Just last week, Ryan announced his second pre-deal project for the streaming service, The Politician, which is set to star Gwyneth Paltrow and Barbra Streisand. With the new deal, Ryan has the potential to branch out to movies and other projects. He’s also getting a lot more free reign on his content, free from network censors and advertiser concerns. In a statement, Ryan said:
The history of this moment is not lost on me. I am a gay kid from Indiana who moved to Hollywood in 1989 with $55 dollars in savings in my pocket, so the fact that my dreams have crystallized and come true in such a major way is emotional and overwhelming to me. I am awash in genuine appreciation for Ted Sarandos, Reed Hastings and Cindy Holland at Netflix for believing in me and the future of my company which will continue to champion women, minorities and LGBTQ heroes and heroines, and I am honored and grateful to continue my partnership with my friends and peers at Fox on our existing shows.
The brass at Netflix is delighted with this acquisition, obviously. Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, said that Ryan’s work has “influenced the global cultural zeitgeist, reinvented genres and changed the course of television history.” He went on to say that Ryan’s “unfaltering dedication to excellence and to give voice to the underrepresented, to showcase a unique perspective or just to shock the hell out of us, permeates his genre-shattering work.” Preach, Ted.
So what does this new deal mean for Ryan’s current FOX projects? His projects for FX, American Crime Story, American Horror Story and Feud will remain on the network, as well as his upcoming series Pose, which I can’t wait to see. His latest Fox drama, 911 will also remain where it is.
I’m excited to see what this new deal brings. I’m a big fan of Ryan’s, but I’m also the first to admit that he’s had his hits (American Crime Story, Feud) and misses (the last few seasons of Glee…sorry, Gleeks…and Scream Queens come to mind). I debated dropping Netflix, but this news, paired with my late-to-the party discovery of One Day at a Time, pretty much guarantees the service will still be getting my $10.99 a month indefinitely.
Photos: Getty Images, WENN.com
Don’t be sorry, you’re right. The last three seasons of Glee sucked so bad. I’m glad they put it out of its misery.
The first season was brilliant (apart from the crazy pregnancy storyline). Such a shame it got so far up its own arse.
Ready for Feud: Sarah Jessica vs. Kim.
I guess this is why Monique could not get the money she asked for. Welp.
Ryan’s shows are hit or miss for me. Last season of American Horror story was actually quite good. IMO it was the best season after murder house and asylum. I have lots of notes but overall it was better than Hotel and Freakshow.
Exactly what I was thinking. Netflix so white 🙁
Then explain Chappelle and Rock getting huge deals. Oh, and Shonda Rimes.
Usually huge deals like this in music, movies, TV or whatever are the beginning of the downhill slide. I’ve enjoyed a few of Murphy’s offerings, but most of the time I find him to be sloppy and self-serving.
Agree, and also I think it’s ridiculous to give just one person this much control and money, they just do the same show over and over again. Like Shonda Rhimes.
Ryan Murphy looks like the creepy gynecologist who has offices down the hall from mine.
Exactly. And I am 100% convinced he is up to his eyeballs (or at least balls) in a lot of the sex stuff related to Singer, Spacey, et al. He’s creepy as heck. Wonder what Netflix will think if he takes a fall?
He has hits and miss too, but he is really creative and his shows always have strong female characters and he tries to be inclusive behind the cameras too, so best luck for him.
I really like his shows. Yes, Glee got frustrating as seasons went out (I dont know if I’ll ever forgive the character assassination of Rachel in season 5 in particular) but it still holds a special place in my heart regardless. It was mostly cheesy fun. And although I havent seen Roanoke or Cult yet, I still have really enjoyed AHS. I havent seen Feud or the first season of American Crime Story (we are watching Gianni Versace now). So Im excited to see what they have in store.
I really like his shows. Yes, Glee got frustrating as seasons went out (I dont know if I’ll ever forgive the character assassination of Rachel in season 5 in particular) but it still holds a special place in my heart regardless. It was mostly cheesy fun. And although I havent seen Roanoke or Cult yet, I still have really enjoyed AHS. I havent seen Feud or the first season of American Crime Story (we are watching Gianni Versace now). So Im excited to see what they have in store.
EDIT : Also wanted to say that it makes sense that Netflix is doing this. The streaming services are really battling it out to become top dog.
Sorry I don’t like his style at all. I’m glad he casts a lot of women, and older women especially, but the shows are not good in my opinion. They remind me of supermarket birthday cakes, everything thrown in.
I hated Glee and AHS is not my kind of show, but I liked the OJ mini series. So…this will be hit or miss for me. I’d rather see Netflix invest that money into getting more recent movies, tv shows and classics into their catalog.