AMC Networks Inc (AMCX), Netflix, Inc. (NFLX): Madder Than Competitors

Wouldn’t you know it? Just as talk of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) facing stiff competition reaches yet another fever pitch — including fresh rumors of music streamer Spotify entering the biz — Reed Hastings and team today quietly posted all 13 episodes of season 5 of “Mad Men,” a move that’s sure to make some of the company’s 30 million-plus subscribers happy.

“This show is perfect. The look is great. Characters are complex and seriously flawed. Love the way they bring historical events into the show (Kennedy assassination, riots, Vietnam)… we need season 5!” wrote one reviewer at Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)’s page for the AMC Networks Inc (NASDAQ:AMCX) hit.

“LOVE LOVE LOVE this show! My only regret is watching all 4 seasons so fast. Come on with Season 5!!” wrote another.

Their enthusiasm is understandable: “Mad Men” is a multiple Emmy award winner. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) also carries all five seasons of the show but only for purchase. Prime members aren’t permitted to stream episodes for free the way I can on Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX).

Source: Netflix.

Hulu doesn’t have an answer either, while Redbox Instant — the still-beta streaming joint venture between Coinstar, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSTR) and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) — plans to offer movies only.

My point? Reports to the contrary, it’s a relatively small (and apparently) shrinking pool of bidders for the sorts of episodic content that makes for Netflix’s bread and butter. Getting more of shows like “Mad Men” helps tune and rev the earnings engine.

Not that you’d know it from the news wires. No fanfare accompanied the update. I wouldn’t even be writing this were it not for an email from Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), which tracks my interests well enough to know that I watch “Mad Men” from time to time. (Presently, I’m going through episodes of “The West Wing.”) The email was a simple reminder to check back in, which I will when time permits.

What about you? Are you a Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) subscriber? Let us know what you think about the company and its competitors in the comments box below.

The article Netflix: Madder Than Competitors originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Tim Beyers.

Fool contributor Tim Beyers is a member of the Motley Fool Rule Breakers stock-picking team and the Motley Fool Supernova Odyssey I mission. He owned shares of, and had a long-term call options position in, Netflix at the time of publication. Check out Tim’s web home and portfolio holdings or connect with him on Google+, Tumblr, or Twitter, where he goes by @milehighfool. You can also get his insights delivered directly to your RSS reader.The Motley Fool owns shares of Netflix and Amazon.com. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Amazon.com, Netflix, Coinstar, and AMC Networks.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.