Later in the month, Netflix also acquired the Texas-based mobile game developer, Boss Fight Entertainment, for an undisclosed sum. Netflix announced plans to acquire Next Games in March 2022 for \u20ac65 million as part of Netflix’s expansions into gaming. In May 2026, Netflix announced they would air the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show starting in 2027. Also that month, former baseball player Barry Bonds was announced to be joining Netflix for MLB coverage. In March 2026, it was announced that Elle Duncan was leaving ESPN to become Netflix’s first sports anchor.<\/p>\n
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In February 2014, Netflix began to enter into agreements with American internet service providers, beginning with Comcast (whose customers had repeatedly complained of frequent buffering when streaming Netflix), to provide the service a direct connection to their networks. Netflix acquired the American rights to the Norwegian drama Lilyhammer after its television premiere on Norway’s NRK1 in January 2012. Watch Now gave the company real-time data on their behavior, such as scenes that customers replayed or skipped, or when they stopped watching a show. The rights to these programs were given to Netflix shortly after deals with Viacom to stream Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. In January 2011, Netflix announced agreements with several manufacturers to include branded Netflix buttons on the remote controls of devices compatible with the service, such as Blu-ray players. In November 2010, Netflix began offering a standalone streaming service separate from DVD rentals.<\/p>\n
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The animated musical KPop Demon Hunters (2025) became Netflix’s most popular film of all time later that month. Through this agreement, Netflix will stream all 47\u00a0games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic live and on-demand for its users in Japan. In August 2025, Netflix announced an exclusivity deal to stream the World Baseball Classic in Japan starting in 2026.<\/p>\n
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In September 2020, Netflix signed a multi-million dollar deal with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The company oversaw several renovations at the theater, including new seats and a concession stand. Also in November 2019, Netflix announced it had signed a long-term lease to save the Paris Theatre, the last single-screen movie theater in Manhattan. In July 2019, Netflix announced it would be opening a hub at Shepperton Studios as part of a deal with Pinewood Group. On January 22, 2019, Netflix sought and was approved for membership into the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), making it the first streaming service to join the non gamstop casinos<\/a> association. In July 2018, Netflix earned the most Emmy nominations of any network for the first time with 112 nods.<\/p>\n\n