Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) News Trends: Ricky Gervais, Latest Addition, Submarine & More

Editor’s Note: Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)

Ricky Gervais Puts on Humbler Face at Netflix’s ‘Derek’ Premiere (Variety)
Ricky Gervais checked his cynical, snarky shtick at the door of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)’s U.S. premiere of his dramedy “Derek.” Gervais’ titular “Derek” character is a slow-witted, mumble-mouthed man-child who works in an old folks’ home. His naïf is meant to produce not just belly laughs but poignant moments of genuine humanity. Gervais wrote, directed and exec produced the seven-episode series for the U.K.’s Channel 4, which aired the half-hour show earlier this year. “Derek” is set to bow on Netflix Sept. 12, available worldwide except in the U.K.

Netflix Netherlands Launch Set for Sept. 11 (Variety)
As of Sept. 11, the Netherlands will become the latest addition to the streaming service’s growing global roster, according to sources. The company had indicated in June that the Netherlands would be its next launch before year-end but didn’t specify exactly when that would happen. It will likely be the only country added this year, joining an international stable of over 40 countries that already includes Canada, U.K., and Brazil. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is staying mum on the subject, but Dutch press have already been invited to a Sept. 11 party the company is throwing with a guest list that includes CEO Reed Hastings and Famke Janssen, the Amsterdam-born actress who stars in one of Netflix’s original series, “Hemlock Grove.”

Next on Netflix: Submerged in reality (Towerlight)
“Submarine” is definitely a dark comedy. It’s deals with serious issues like infidelity, cancer, the loss of virginity and depression. It’s a coming-of-age story that doesn’t shoehorn in an unrealistic ending where the hero suddenly becomes popular or wins back the girl with some grand, impossible gesture. Nobody stands outside a bedroom window with a boombox in real life, and nor do they do so in “Submarine.” It captures the real disappointment of being a teenager whose life is in emotional turmoil. The ending is ambiguous, with a lot of potential for Oliver to grow, much more like real life than most teenage-love movies.

“Let them binge!” says Spacey as Copper hits LoveFilm (CNET UK)
‘Allo ‘allo ‘allo, what’s going on ‘ere then? One of BBC America’s most successful shows, Copper, comes to LoveFilm this week — hot on the heels of Kevin Spacey’s call to follow Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) and give viewers what we want, when we want it, how we want it. Spacey recently delivered an impassioned speech to the British television industry in which he described how the Netflix model of commissioning new series is closer to the British way of doing things rather than the US model, wherein many pilots episodes are filmed but few survive, at massive expense.

Netflix, the best performer in S&P YTD (CNBC.com)