Netflix to Stream Free ‘Wizard of Oz’

8 Sep, 2009 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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Netflix Sept. 8 said it would stream for free online for 24 hours the digitally re-mastered 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz on Oct. 3 starting at 9 a.m. EST at www.netflix.com/wizardofoz.

Netflix subscribers can also stream Oz, which stars Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Frank Morgan and Margaret Hamilton, at no charge in high-definition on a variety of CE devices, including Web-enabled Blu-ray players, LG HDTVs, the Roku digital video players, TiVo digital video recorders and Xbox 360 video game systems.

Netflix is working with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group in conjunction with the movie’s 70th anniversary. A 70th anniversary special edition of the film will be released Sept. 29 on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, On Demand and digital download.

The limited and numbered DVD and Blu-ray “Ultimate Collector's Editions,” priced at $69.92 and $84.99, respectively, will feature 16 hours of bonus features, four hours of which have never been available before now. Every package will bear a silver label containing a specific numbered version; once these packages are sold out, they will never again be available to consumers.

The release will be celebrated by a free live concert and screening in New York’s Central Park, which will include contemporary interpretations of the movie’s classic songs performed by Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson and Julianne Hough.

"Making a movie of this stature available for free over the Internet on an uninterrupted basis is a first," said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix. "At the same time, it's a great opportunity for people to get a taste of what instantly watching movies streamed from Netflix is all about. We're thrilled to be able to do this on both scores."

The partnership between Warner and Netflix could portend a positive relationship following last month’s decision by the studio to revisit its DVD, Blu-ray and streaming licensing agreements with Netflix.

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