Showtime Pulls ‘Dexter’, Other Shows Out of Netflix

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It’s time to say sayonara to Showtime shows on Netflix. By the summertime, the television service will pull early seasons of “Dexter” and “Californication” on the online-streaming service. Wondering why you weren’t seeing any newer episodes of “Dexter” or never got introduced to “Nurse Jackie”?

Instead, the pulled shows will be available on Showtime’s online service. Other shows will remain on Netflix, so don’t worry if you’ve got a hankering to see Jonathan Rhy Meyers strut around in “The Tudors.” Thankfully, for many, Lionsgate-owned “Weeds” will also stay.

The Los Angeles Times reports that it’s basically an effort to buckle down on rights to first-run programs to encourage people to keep signing up for Showtime. HBO hasn’t been as friendly either to Netflix, doing the same thing.

But is it also the issue of getting jealous of another’s success? For instance, the Los Angeles Times offers this gem of insight, “…The television industry is increasingly viewing Netflix as a deep-pocket rival that could eventually supplant cash-cow premium cable channels.”

So yes, common folk will have to subscribe to the service, or buy the DVDs. Get ready to pony up, or be ready for a cheeto-poppin’, weekend-bummin’ TV marathon of ‘Dexter’ before it disappears.

(via Los Angeles Times)

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