Netflix CEO Reed Hastings is sitting pretty these days. Heading into 2013, naysayers were speculating about the potential failure of his company's newfound business model of original TV programming; today, halfway through the year, Hastings only needs to point towards the 14 total Emmy nominations received by Netflix shows House of Cards, Hemlock Grove, and Arrested Development combined. Not to mention, the critical acclaim that the Internet streaming platform's latest series, Orange is the New Black, has earned in recent weeks.
And now Hastings is ready to show and prove in a couple of all-new arenas. It was announced yesterday that Netflix is developing "broadly appealing feature documentaries" and stand-up comedy specials, though no specific titles or comedians have been announced just yet.
In addition to comedy and docs, Netflix is also working on new seasons of all of its current shows, as well as the upcoming premieres of the teen-targeting Mako Mermaids, Ricky Gervais' sitcom Derek, and the Dreamworks Animation-backed Turbo: F.A.S.T. There's also a new season of Lilyhammer on deck, for all you fans of that Netflix show nobody ever talks about yet apparently is being watched by plenty of people.
Those early predictions from Hastings that Netflix would become the next HBO? They're sounding less and less ridiculous by the day.
[via Variety]
