Netflix Signs Shonda Rhimes in Counterpunch to ABC and Disney
Netflix’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, said in a statement, “I’ve gotten the chance to know Shonda
and she’s a true Netflixer at heart — she loves TV and films, she cares passionately about her work, and she delivers for her audience.”
Ms. Rhimes said in her own statement: “Shondaland’s move to Netflix is the result of a shared plan Ted Sarandos
and I built based on my vision for myself as a storyteller and for the evolution of my company.
Those series and ones in development will remain on ABC, though Netflix already has
the streaming rights for the back library for “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal.”
Netflix’s move is a major counterpunch to Disney’s announcement last week
that it was starting its own streaming services, including one that would force the removal of Disney and Pixar movies from Netflix.
“Grey’s Anatomy,” which will begin Season 14 in September, remains a hit with sturdy ratings,
but the ratings for “Scandal” have nose dived and “The Catch,” co-produced by Ms. Rhimes, was canceled in May.
Ms. Rhimes, the creator of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” — hits for ABC — will bring
Shondaland to Netflix in what the streaming service said was a multiyear deal.
In addition to keeping its Thursday lineup for the coming season, ABC still has a midseason show
that is expected from Ms. Rhimes, “For the People,” and a “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff that is in preproduction, among some other projects in development.