Netflix sets $44m record with Blacklist

US streaming service Netflix has acquired the rights to an NBC drama from Sony Pictures Television (SPT) that is thought to be the most expensive SVoD series deal ever.

The Blacklist stars James Spader as a criminal mastermind who turns FBI informant and is reportedly costing Netflix US$2m per episode – US$44m in total.

The show, produced by Sony Pictures Television (SPT), was greenlit by US network NBC at last year’s LA Screenings and began airing in September. It was then extended into a 22-part series in December following ratings success, with a second season already ordered.

Netflix will get the first window on streaming rights for the show, which will be available later next month. It will join the likes of Showtime’s Dexter and AMC series The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad on Netflix, as well as spin-off Better Call Saul, also from SPT.

The Blacklist has also already been acquired by RTL (Germany), TF1 (France), Shaw (Canada), Denmark and Norway (Viasat) and Sweden (TV3).

Sony Entertainment Television will also air the show across Latin America, while a deal has been struck with an as-yet unnamed broadcaster in Australia.

The acquisition, which was first reported by Deadline, follows Netflix’s first original series order for its French service, a political drama, which was revealed yesterday.