Netflix Reportedly in Talks With NBCU, Google on Deals for Ad-Supported Plan

variety.com:

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorNetflix has made no secret that it would rely on third-party partners to roll into the ad-supported VOD space.

Now word has emerged that Google and NBCUniversal are the top contenders to potentially land a coveted deal with the streamer to sell and serve ads for Netflix’s lower-cost plan with ads.Google and Comcast’s NBCU are both pursuing an exclusive pact with Netflix for the forthcoming ad-supported streaming package, the Wall Street Journal reported this week, citing anonymous sources.

That followed a similar report by CNBC that Netflix has met with Google, NBCU and Roku about marketing tie-ups and an unconfirmed report last week by the Information that Netflix was in talks with Comcast and Roku for ad-tech and sales deals.

Reps for Google and Comcast/NBCU declined to comment. According to a Netflix spokesperson, “We are still in the early days of deciding how to launch a lower-priced, ad-supported option and no decisions have been made.”In a session at the Cannes Lions advertising conference Thursday, co-CEO Ted Sarandos, when asked which ad companies Netflix is in discussions with about partnerships, declined to be specific. “We’re talking to all of them right now,” replied Sarandos, as reported by Reuters.