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‘House of Cards’ returns in 2018 -- without Kevin Spacey
Today, Netflix announced that it has reached an agreement to resume production on the sixth season of its tentpole show House of Cards. Variety reports that the final season will consist of eight episodes starring Robin Wright. Kevin Spacey will not appear in the season. Production on the show will resume in early 2018.
House of Cards season two is ready for viewing on Netflix
After an all-too-long wait, the second season of House of Cards is available for streaming on Netflix. Season one (feel free to revisit it with director's commentary if you like) wasn't Netflix's first foray into streaming (regionally) exclusive content, but the series has served as its highest profile jewel, winning awards -- the first ever streaming exclusive nominated for a primetime Emmy -- and garnering critical praise for all involved. That includes producers Beau Willimon and David Fincher, as well as stars Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright and Kate Mara. As is Netflix's custom, the entire season is available for viewing so whether you want to watch it all in one sitting, skip directly to the last episode and work back from there, or take it one week at a time old-school style, it's all up to you. Naturally a third season is in the works, so whenever you finish, take solace in knowing that it's not over for good. Let us know how your viewing party is working out in the comments below, however, as the Commander in Chief has asked -- no spoilers, please (if you can't start watching right away, try Netflix's Spoiler Foiler tool for browsing Twitter).
Netflix's House of Cards comes to Blu-ray in June; second screen feature tweaked on Android
While Netflix is focused on a streaming future the first series to appear exclusively on its service will see a more conventional release this summer. High Def Disc News points out an Amazon listing indicates the House of Cards Season One Blu-ray will arrive June 11th, from Sony Pictures. Sony signed on to distribute the Media Rights Capital project worldwide after a window for Netflix's streaming exclusivity, so if Super HD still isn't enough quality-wise -- and since 4K streaming isn't here yet -- you do have other options, currently priced at $52.99 sans details of extras or technical specs. Users may have also noticed changes recently in Netflix's mobile apps, like their to their ability to play video on other screens. While we'd seen the ability to push video to other devices and control playback already, Android users should be seeing some visual tweaks to help owners of compatible devices (PS3 and certain smart TVs for now) figure out how it works. With DIAL-compatible TVs the prompt shows up as long as the target device is on (whether or not the app is open), while on the PS3 the Netflix app will need to be open for it to pop up. Something else that's been rolling out is a prompt asking if Netflix can send push notifications, which is used to notify users of things like new seasons of TV shows they've watched becoming available. Check after the break for another screen grab, and let us know if you've noticed any other new features -- other than yesterday's April Fool-related overly-specific content categories -- popping up lately. [Thanks, Michael]
Netflix is getting into the content biz, confirms 'House of Cards' will launch in late 2012
The rumors are true, instead of simply offering old content from others, Netflix is jumping back into the content business by licensing David Fincher's upcoming drama House of Cards for Watch Instantly streaming in the US and Canada before it airs anywhere else, or has even been produced. In a blog post and interview with AllThingsD, Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos justifies signing up for the series sight unseen by pointing out the popularity of the earlier BBC miniseries on which it is based among Netflix members and the collective skills of both the director and lead actor Kevin Spacey. However, if you're waiting around for fresh content to pop up on Watch Instantly don't hold your breath, the 26 episode run produced by (interestingly, Netflix will neither produce nor own the show) Media Rights Capital isn't due to arrive until late 2012.
Epix TV network to deliver real pilot based on a fake Steve Jobs
It looks like our old friend, the Fake Steve Jobs, is doing pretty well for himself. A popular blog, a well-received book, and now -- with any luck, at least -- a new TV series. Currently the Epix network (still only available on FiOS TV) is teaming up with the money men at Media Rights Capital to deliver a pilot called iCON. Featuring a character named Tom Rhodes, "a composite of Jobs and other Silicon Valley titans," the story is described as "a savage satire, a study of ego, power and greed." The man behind it all is none other than Larry Charles (of Borat, Bruno, and Seinfeld fame) who will direct the thing and oversee the script being written by Dan Lyons (Fake Steve Jobs himself). As you might have guessed, the announcement is pretty nutty: "We are attempting to do nothing less than a modern Citizen Kane," Charles said. "A scabrous satire of Silicon Valley and its most famous citizen. We needed a bold environment to nurture such a vision. One that was free of pre-conceived ideas. And Epix made it clear they were that place. They asked us to make their home our home. And we have." Since no one we know has actually seen Citizen Kane, we can't tell you if that's a good thing or not. But if it turns out to be anything like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, we love it already! PR after the break.
