How much do we think Netflix paid for this small window of exclusivity?
It’s easy to say that the biggest media event of the year will be the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI this November. Netflix, eager to get in on the action, has teamed up with Rockstar Games to announce that it will exclusively host an in-depth look at the new game on August 27. Grand Theft Auto VI: An Expanded Preview will debut at 3 p.m. ET and will remain a Netflix exclusive for, uh, six hours. At 9 p.m. ET, the same feature will arrive on Rockstar’s official YouTube channel, allowing non-subscribers (and people who can’t watch Netflix at work) to work up an appetite.
Even in the broader context of Netflix looking to beat competing broadcasters and streaming services, it’s an interesting move. After all, YouTube has become the default site for almost every company wanting to post teasers, trailers, and promotional clips of their products. If Netflix paid for the privilege of being six hours ahead of YouTube, it shows how competitive the streaming market is going to become in the future.
