To be sure, it’s easily one of the best such catalogs available, but it remains a sliver of the possibility. Netflix obviously knows this, and has worked to expand its streaming library, signing deals with movie studios and television networks. It’s also pursuing original programming that it hopes will be an appetizing carrot to viewers, like it has been for HBO.
In the works, among other shows, is an anticipated remake of the political thriller series “House of Cards,’’ produced by David Fincher, and an episodic return for the cult comedy “Arrested Development’’ to air ahead of a planned theatrical movie.
Since introducing its streaming option in 2007, Netflix hasn’t significantly changed its Internet functionality, (though its tablet apps were recently redesigned). Finding out what’s available is generally limited to specified searches (“What Clint Eastwood movies could I watch right now?’’) or an awkward sifting through DVD-size photos, six or so at a time.
Certainly, many viewers are immediately drawn to the flashiest offerings: the first three seasons of “Breaking Bad,’’ the first season of “Downton Abby,’’ all five seasons of “Friday Night Lights’’ and the first four seasons of “Mad Men.’’ As quality television has increased, few of us have been able to keep up with everything: Netflix is a place to catch up on some of the shows we’ve been meaning to get around to.
But what else? This week, Netflix said subscribers watched more than 2 billion hours of movies and TV shows in the last three months of 2011. Surely, there is much more out there, but it takes some hunting.
Early winter is, for many, a time to catch up on the Oscar favorites. While most of that movie watching will need to take place in the theater, many of 2011’s best documentaries can be streamed on Netflix. The exceptional doc on Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna, “Senna,’’ is now available, as is the utterly charming “Bill Cunningham New York,’’ about the New York Times fashion photographer.
