Netflix have announced plans to team up with comic book giant, Marvel, to bring four new original shows to the popular streaming service. This announcement brings more concrete evidence that the streaming giant, Netflix, is here to stay. After years of uncertainty on whether Netflix could come up with enough ways to pull in new viewers while at the same time keeping current ones, Netflix is beginning to show that it is in it for the long run by producing shows specifically tailored for their service. With this announcement on Thursday, Netflix is well on its way to taking first place in the streaming industry.

New Shows

The four new shows included in the agreement with Marvel are set to be based around Marvel TV characters Daredevil, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage. By bringing some of the more unfamiliar comic book heroes to the TV screen, Netflix will be able to attract die-hard comic book fans while Marvel will be able to introduce these characters to a new audience. Netflix has committed to airing thirteen episodes of each new show starting in 2015.

In recent months, Marvel’s TV shows have proven to be a hit with viewers. Teaming up with ABC, Marvel’s premier of their popular new show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D had one of the highest premier ratings for a US based drama in nearly four years. Other Marvel shows are in the works including a Wonder Woman show on the popular CW network and a possible Captain America based series as well. With the recent rise of comic book heroes found in movies and TV shows, it’s no wonder Netflix has decided to jump on this popular bandwagon.

No Commercials

Marvel President Alan Fine is excited to introduce some of his comic book characters to Netflix’s on-demand format. “Netflix offers an incredible platform for the kind of rich storytelling that is Marvel’s specialty,” Fine stated in a prepared press release. With Netflix’s platform, viewers are allowed to sit down and watch an entire series at once instead of waiting each week for a new episode. With no commercial interruption, viewers have also been found to focus more of their attention on the show itself without the constant interruption of advertisements.

Included in the deal with Marvel, Netflix has agreed to also air Marvel’s mini-series known as ‘The Defenders’ after conclusion of the four other shows. The four new shows are being based on lesser-known characters found in the popular comic book series The Avengers. With this agreement, after all originally agreed upon episodes have aired all four characters will come together for ‘The Defenders’ mini-series. Details on the four new shows and ‘The Defenders’ mini-series are not being released as of now.

Thursday’s announcements with Disney based company, Marvel, comes just one year after Netflix’s deal with Disney in which Netflix became the exclusive subscription service to begin airing new animated Disney movies starting in 2016. With these kind of deals, Netflix is well on its way to becoming one of the leading on-demand video services around. With their exclusive content, original programming, and action packed new programming, Netflix has proven that they are indeed here to stay.