DreamWorks Animation’s relationship with Netflix is now even stronger thanks to a newly expanded multi-year deal that will see DWA content – including a number of original series and its feature film library – stream in all Netflix markets outside of China.
Brand-new original DWA series featured in the agreement include a revamped version of classic action series Voltron, as well as Troll Hunters, a series from acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro that tells the story of best friends who discover a fantastical world beneath their hometown.
Netflix expects to launch both series this year.
The pact also extends the rights of current original DWA kids series on Netflix, such as The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Dinotrux and Dragons: Race to the Edge, and it includes second-window rights for the series globally outside of China.
In addition, other new original series based on recent and upcoming feature films from DreamWorks and other classic IPs will be developed over the term of the new deal.
The expanded agreement comes as DreamWorks Animation continues to turn its fortunes around after a difficult 2015, which was marked by a string of box-office disappointments, layoffs and the closure of its operations in Northern California.
Since Bonnie Arnold and Mireille Soria became new co-presidents of feature animation after the exit of CCO Bill Damaschke a year ago today, DreamWorks announced it would cut its feature film slate from three pictures per year down to two.
After the restructuring, the studio saw a surprise hit in last year’s Home and is now anticipating good returns for Kung Fu Panda 3, which hits theaters January 29.
The company’s consumer products, television and new media segments were also responsible for driving its Q3 2105 revenue up by 43.3% to US$259 million versus the same period in 2014.