Netflix officially terminates contract with The Weinstein Co.
David Farnor | On 19, Jul 2018
Netflix has officially terminated its contract with The Weinstein Company this week, following a court filing with the US Bankruptcy Court.
The streaming giant was swift to cut ties with the company, following allegations of sexual harrasment, misconduct and abuse made by many women against Harvey Weinstein. The Weinstein Co. has since filed for bankruptcy and Lantern Entertainment has been working through the various resulting objections. Now, Netflix has won the approval of the Bankruptcy Court in the USA to end its output deal with The Weinstein Co., which means it will no longer be oblicated to make payments for any films, TV shows or other content.
It will also not have to accept delivery of any titles, which means that it will not be obligated to stream a third season of MTV’s Scream TV series, when that eventually is produced.
The approval takes effect as of 11th July, with Season 2 of animated series Spy Kids (based on Robert Rodriguez’s films) the only exception.
It also means that Netflix’s involvement in a legal tussle around Peaky Blinders has been resolved. The BBC drama, which has been a huge success in the UK and in the USA, was snapped up by The Weinstein Co. in 2013, later selling the US TV and VOD rights director to Netflix. The company retained a credit as the US distributor, however, with producers Endemol Shine later claiming that Weinstein TV had breached contract over the series due to Harvey’s misconduct. Netflix had already removed a TWC production card from the programme, but has also withheld $1.6 million in licensing fees to Endemol and TWC. That sum will now be paid once the control of rights has been determined between Lantern and Endemol. Netflix has also agreed to drop a claim for $326,000 relating to its Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel, produced by TWC.
A spokesperson for Netflix confirmed to Deadline that Peaky Blinders will remain on the streaming service without any interruption.