Carrie Bradshaw and her iconic group of friends from “Sex and the City” are set to make their streaming debut on Netflix. Netflix has inked a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to license all six seasons of the beloved HBO dramedy, encompassing all 94 episodes. Fans can mark their calendars, as “Sex and the City” is expected to arrive on Netflix screens in early April 2024.
While this exciting partnership brings the series to a broader audience, it’s essential to note that the deal is not global. “Sex and the City” will be available for streaming in the United States and select European markets. Unfortunately, the deal does not encompass the two feature-length films based on the series, nor does it include the recent spin-off series, “And Just Like That,” which is currently exclusive to Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platform, Max.
“Sex and the City,” which originally aired on HBO from 1998 to 2004, stars Sarah Jessica Parker as the iconic Carrie Bradshaw, a New York-based writer who draws inspiration from the real-life, emotional, and often humorous experiences of her friends and lovers. Created by Darren Star and adapted from Candace Bushnell’s book anthology of the same name, the series also features Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, and Kim Cattrall.
This agreement follows Warner Bros. Discovery’s strategy of licensing older HBO originals to Netflix, marking a significant shift in the approach of traditional media companies towards streaming platforms. Some of the HBO titles that have found their way to Netflix include “Insecure,” “Band of Brothers,” “The Pacific,” “Six Feet Under,” and “Ballers.” “True Blood,” which is also streaming in the United States on Disney’s Hulu, is available to Netflix subscribers outside the U.S. All these shows remain available on Max (formerly HBO Max).
Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to license content to Netflix is part of a broader trend in the industry. Media companies, once committed to exclusive streaming on their platforms, are now exploring opportunities to reach wider audiences and monetize their content through different windows.
During Netflix’s Q4 2023 earnings call, co-CEO Ted Sarandos expressed the company’s enthusiasm for licensing content from other networks and studios. Sarandos highlighted Netflix’s unique ability to add value to studio intellectual property (IP) through its vast distribution reach and recommendation system. Netflix’s successful track record of transforming shows like “Breaking Bad,” “The Walking Dead,” and more recently, “Schitt’s Creek,” into pop-culture phenomena demonstrates its capability to breathe new life into existing content.
As the dominant global subscription streaming service, Netflix continues to grow its subscriber base, reaching 260.3 million members worldwide by the end of 2023. The company’s strategic approach to licensing valuable content further cements its position in the streaming industry.
The deal between Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix for “Sex and the City“ marks another milestone in the evolving landscape of streaming, demonstrating the willingness of major media companies to explore new avenues for content distribution and reach a wider audience. Fans of the series can look forward to reliving the iconic adventures of Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha on Netflix’s platform in just a few months.
