Netflix has signed hit television producer Shonda Rhimes, creator of fan favorites like “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” luring her away from ABC in a move to bring more hard-hitting talent to its streaming lineup.
Shonda, also the mind behind ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder,” will bring her production company, Shondaland, along in the move as part of an exclusive, multi-year agreement. Rhimes’ longtime producing partner Betsy Beers will also make the move as well, according to a Netflix announcement.
The deal further integrates Rhimes with Netflix, the company says, as older episodes of her aforementioned hits are already available on Netflix in the United States and other countries around the world.
“Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest storytellers in the history of television,” Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos comments. “Her work is gripping, inventive, pulse-pounding, heart-stopping, taboo-breaking television at its best. I’ve gotten the chance to know Shonda and she’s a true Netflixer at heart — she loves TV and films, she cares passionately about her work, and she delivers for her audience. We’re so excited to welcome her to Netflix.”
Rhimes expressed her gratitude for starting her career at ABC and her excitement for the new move.
“Shondaland’s move to Netflix is the result of a shared plan Ted Sarandos and I built based on my vision for myself as a storyteller and for the evolution of my company,” Rhimes says. “Ted provides a clear, fearless space for creators at Netflix. He understood what I was looking for – the opportunity to build a vibrant new storytelling home for writers with the unique creative freedom and instantaneous global reach provided by Netflix’s singular sense of innovation. The future of Shondaland at Netflix has limitless possibilities.”
Rhime’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” which is heading into its 14th season this fall, as well as “Scandal,” and “How to Get Away with Murder,” will continue to air on ABC, according to the announcement.
The new deal comes just after ABC’s parent company announced they would not opt to renew Disney and Pixar movies licenses with Netflix when they expire in 2019.
Disney revealed plans last week to launch its own streaming services, one for its central Disney and Pixar brand and another for live sports.
Nextflix, on its end, has appeared to be preparing for the potential loss of Disney movie rights, with news of its first acquisition last week. The streaming giant picked up comic book publishing company Millarworld, which will develop films and kids shows based on its characters.
Same-day research from Civic Science on the news that Disney was pulling its content from Netflix by 2019 suggests the streaming service could survive Disney’s departure. The survey found that only about 15 percent of current Netflix customers said they would consider leaving if and when that happens.
The subscribers most likely to consider dropping the platform were women, parents, and grandparents, who most likely find the library of Disney and Pixar movies useful to keep their kids entertained, the group found.
