Netflix reportedly considers opening its app to other streamers

Netflix reportedly weighs letting other streamers onto its app

Netflix executives have considered making third-party streaming services available within its app, according to a report from The New York Times. The recent discussions reportedly centered on bringing Peacock and Fox One to Netflix, although it remains unclear whether the streaming giant would sell subscriptions to the other services or simply add their content to its library.

For a company that has long positioned itself as a self-contained destination, the prospect marks a notable strategic shift. Just two years ago, Netflix told shareholders that it already operates as a go-to destination for entertainment and does not require any partnerships. That stance now appears to be softening.

Netflix has already begun experimenting with third-party content in France, where it added local broadcaster TF1 to its app in June, complete with live channels and on-demand shows. Co-CEO Greg Peters called the early results "promising" during a July earnings call and said the company would consider similar deals if they work for both sides. "If we see additional deals that similarly serve our members that work for our partner, that work for us, we'll certainly consider them," Peters said.

Despite the talks, Netflix currently has no "imminent deal" planned with Peacock or Fox One, according to The New York Times. The discussion appears to be an early-stage conversation rather than a finalized arrangement.

Industry context

Netflix would not be the first streaming platform to open its doors to rivals. Amazon's Prime Video and Roku have long sold subscriptions to competing services, and YouTube — a major competitor to Netflix — will include access to Peacock as part of its Premium subscription next year.

The question for Netflix remains how such integrations might work. One possibility is that the company would sell subscriptions to Peacock and Fox One in a manner similar to Amazon Prime Video's approach with services like HBO Max. Another is that it would fold the content directly into its own library, echoing YouTube's recent handling of Peacock through its Premium tier.

As streaming services compete to become the primary app users open, partnerships with former rivals may become more common. Netflix has not publicly indicated which direction it favors, and neither report specifies a timeline for any concrete deal.

The two reports about this story draw on the same sources: The New York Times report and Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters' July earnings call. Neither Digital Trends nor The Verge received an immediate response from Netflix when they reached out for comment.