Netflix has just launched its new ad-supported tier, but certain classic titles like Arrested Development and House of Cards are not available. Both series were instrumental in the company's transition from DVD-by-mail service to the first major global online streaming platform. In the years since the development of both series, Netflix has dominated the pop culture landscape with hit series and films including Stranger Things, Squid Game, Red Notice, and upcoming projects like the Knives Out sequel Glass Onion.
Netflix has been in the news quite a bit recently as they work to maintain its domination over the streaming industry. Earlier this year, the company had its first quarter where they lost subscribers in a decade, leading to no small amount of industry concern and a restructuring of their original content plan to focus less on blockbuster projects like the expensive Gray Man universe as well as the introduction of a cheaper, ad-supported tier for the service. While this most recent quarter had more positive results, this was paired with the revelation that Lilyhammer, their first-ever original program, would be removed from the service now that their U.S. streaming license for the series is expiring.
Per Deadline, Netflix's new tier is missing certain prominent titles, which are visible in the search bar but show a lock icon that indicates the service is unable to play them. This includes Arrested Development and House of Cards, both of which were created back when Netflix Originals were part of a licensing deal rather than owned outright by Netflix. Other shows that are similarly locked on the ad-supported tier are Peaky Blinders, The Magicians, The Last Kingdom, The Sinner, Good Girls, and Friday Night Lights, as well as select movies.
Will These Titles Ever Appear on the Netflix Ad-Supported Tier?
When Netflix made the transition to include an ad-supported tier, they did warn subscribers that certain titles would not be available due to their licensing agreements. However, they did not specify which titles would be impacted by this situation. In their statement, they claimed that they "working on" getting those titles onto the new tier.
It seems likely that Netflix will attempt to get their classic originals like House of Cards and the final two seasons of Arrested Development onto the new tier at some point in the future. However, there is no guarantee that they will be able to negotiate new agreements, and many of the other locked titles are not Netflix Originals at all, including the iconic sitcoms New Girl and The Good Place. Those series are owned by other networks, some with their own proprietary streaming services, so they may never agree to allow Netflix to run ads on those programs for the remainder of their current licensing deals.
Source: Deadline