The world’s largest paid video streaming service is considering filming Chelsea Handler’s new talk show at a space it leased last month in Hollywood, said a person familiar with the situation, who asked not to be named because the plans aren’t public. It’s also the studio behind a pair of comedy series announced earlier this year –“Flaked,” starring Will Arnett, and “Lady Dynamite,” featuring Maria Bamford, the person said.
The move exposes Netflix to new financial risks — hiring the talent, renting equipment and overseeing budgets — but could also speed up its drive to offer a uniform service around the world. While the company controls global rights to many of the shows it brands as Netflix Originals, some of its biggest hits are owned by others: Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. produces “Orange Is the New Black,” and Walt Disney Co.’s Marvel unit created “Daredevil.” Netflix’s licenses will lapse at some point, making those series available to cable networks and online rivals.
Ownership also reduces the reliance on major media companies like 21st Century Fox Inc. and Time Warner Inc. that are reevaluating their relationship with Netflix. Consumers are watching less broadcast and cable TV, and more online, undermining the most important source of revenue for networks whose in-house production arms previously viewed sales of new shows and reruns to Netflix as purely additive.