iWorld
Netflix, Sony Pictures strike first-of-its-kind global Pay-1 deal
CALIFORNIA: Netflix has struck a landmark global Pay-1 licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment, securing exclusive worldwide streaming rights to Sony’s feature films after their full theatrical and home entertainment runs. The deal marks the first time a Pay-1 window has been locked in on a truly global basis.
Under the multi-year agreement, Sony’s films will roll out on Netflix territory by territory from later this year, with full global availability expected by early 2029 as existing rights expire. Netflix will also license selected Sony feature film and television library titles as part of the package.
Netflix already holds Pay-1 rights to Sony films in several markets, including the United States, Germany and parts of Southeast Asia. Titles under the current arrangement include Uncharted, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, It Ends With Us, Anyone But You and Venom: The Last Dance.
“Our members all over the world love movies and giving them exclusive access to Sony’s much loved films adds incredible value to their subscriptions,” said Lauren Smith, vice president of licensing and programming strategy at Netflix. “Sony’s impressive slate of iconic film franchises like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and originals like Anyone But You have been popular with our US audience and now we’re excited to expand that offering to our members all around the world.”
Sony said the agreement deepens a partnership that has already proved lucrative while preserving its studio independence.
“Our partnership with Netflix has always been incredibly valuable,” said Paul Littmann, evp of global distribution at Sony Pictures Television. “This new Pay-1 deal takes that partnership to the next level and reinforces the enduring appeal of our theatrical releases to Netflix’s global audience. It also further underscores the strength of our independence and unique ability to create meaningful opportunities that benefit our creative stakeholders, consumers and world-class partners.”
Early films slated to land on Netflix under the new deal include The Nightingale, the adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s novel starring Dakota and Elle Fanning; Sony Pictures Animation’s Buds; Nintendo’s live-action The Legend of Zelda; Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse; and Sam Mendes’ quartet of Beatles films.
For Netflix, which counts more than 300 million paid memberships worldwide, the agreement bolsters its film slate at a time when competition for premium studio content is intensifying. For Sony, it locks in a global streaming home without building one of its own.
In an industry obsessed with windowing and territory carve-outs, the deal redraws the Pay-1 map. Netflix gets global scale. Sony keeps its independence. Hollywood’s old rules just got a little looser.
iWorld
Hari Om OTT premieres Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai series
First devotional show on Jhulelal Sai streams in Sindhi and Hindi.
MUMBAI: Hari Om OTT just turned the tide for devotional dramas because when Jhulelal Sai steps onto the small screen, even the waves start streaming in two languages. Hari Om OTT, India’s leading devotional streaming platform launched in June 2024, has premiered Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai, a milestone series that marks the first-ever show dedicated to the revered deity of the Sindhi community. The show, starring Manish Raisinghani as Jhulelal Sai / Varun Dev and Parag Tyagi as Mirkh Shah, launched on Jhulelal Jayanti and is available in both Sindhi and Hindi.
The series chronicles the life, journey and teachings of Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai, blending mythology with historical elements to deliver an authentic and inspiring narrative for global audiences.
Manish Raisinghani said, “Portraying Jhulelal Sai and Varun Dev was not just a role, it was a spiritual journey and a moment of immense pride for my family and community. This one holds a special place in my heart, especially since the show is coming in our very own Sindhi language as well.”
Parag Tyagi added, “Jhulelal Sai is the first-ever show that beautifully blends mythology with history. Hari Om has achieved something truly special by bringing the stories of our gods and goddesses to audiences in their authentic language.”
Hari Om OTT CEO Avinash Dugar said, “With Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai, we’re excited to share this inspiring story with the Sindhi community and beyond. We will continue to showcase the stories of Indian culture and Sanatan Dharma to the world, presented in their own language.”
The premiere builds on Hari Om OTT’s track record of acclaimed devotional titles including Mata Lakshmi, Jai Jagannath, Shri Tirupati Balaji, Mata Saraswati and Chandra Dev, all focused on celebrating India’s cultural and spiritual legacy through high-quality storytelling.
In a streaming landscape crowded with fiction, Hari Om OTT is quietly proving that the most powerful stories aren’t made up, they’re the ones that have already inspired generations, now delivered straight to your screen in the language of devotion. Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai is now streaming on Hari Om OTT.
