Netflix and The Weinstein Company just stabbed cable companies and HBO in the heart. The two have agreed on a deal that will send Weinstein Company foreign films, documentaries and select other films to Netflix Instant rather than anything else.

That means that you won’t be able to see The Artist and other movies on HBO or Starz, you’ll only be able to watch them on Netflix Instant. And yes, you’ll still be able to rent or watch them on DVD. This is a great move for Netflix, because it probably shows that certain movies do better on Netflix rather than cable companies. People are more likely to experiment with a film on Netflix. They already have the service, if they’re bored they can take a shot at a movie they’ve never heard before.

With a cable company like HBO or Starz, they’d have to sit around and wait for it or record it. Or log on to HBO GO, which people still don’t realize exists. [via Slashfilm]

netflix, the weinstein company