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Netflix And Sony Pictures In Negotiations To Stream 'The Interview'

Netflix could become the next online video service to stream "The Interview."

The streaming service is in talks with Sony Pictures to make the Seth Rogen-James Franco comedy available for its 53 million global subscribers, according to Variety. Sony reportedly screened the movie for Netflix executives in the past few days.

The movie could be streaming on Netflix within a few days.

Sony Pictures struggled to find online distributors for its movie "The Interview" in the wake of the cyber attack on the studio. The movie also had its theatrical release cancelled when hackers made grave threats against the theaters that planned to show it.

Public outcry and independent theater support to screen "The Interview" convinced Sony to re-institute the release. Four other online platforms also agreed to stream the movie.

Viewers can stream the movie on YouTube, Google Play and Xbox. On Sony's own website, SeetheInterview.com, you can rent the film for $5.99 or buy an HD copy for $14.99. Sony is reportedly not in discussion with other streaming services such as Hulu or Amazon, according to Variety.

Pay-cable channel Starz also released its rights over "The Interview" back to Sony so the studio could have greater "flexibility" when negotiating with other distributors to screen the movie sooner.

"As the situation with 'The Interview' is new territory and has been constantly evolving, Starz released the film from its output deal in order to allow Sony maximum flexibility with their distribution strategy," a company spokeswoman told Variety.

More than 300 independent theaters screened the movie, which made $1 million on Christmas. A wide release for the film would have seen it viewed in nearly 3,000 theaters.

Tags
Netflix, The Interview, Sony
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