Netflix's catalog includes everything from movies and original series to reality shows. Soon, it will also provide discussions for life outside the earth. The streaming giant is working with NASA to launch Live Space programming on its platform. Netflix users begin watching rocket launches, astronauts spacewalks, real-time mission coverage and live footage from the Earth from the International Space Station, NASA announced yesterday (June 30). The partnership supports Netflix to advance live entertainment more widely and helps NASA connect with its global audience.
NASA launched its own on-demand streaming service NASA+ in 2023. Even after the Netflix partnership begins, NASA+ will continue to be available for free, through the agency’s website and apps without ads. Additional details about the Netflix partnership will be shared near its launch event.
“The National Aviation and Space Act of 1958 calls on us to share our space exploration story with the widest audience,” NASA+ General Manager Rebecca Sirmons said in a statement. “Together, we are committed to the golden age of innovation and exploration – inspiring a new generation – from the palm of their comfortable sofa or cell phone in their hands.”
Netflix isn't the only platform to help NASA bring its reach to streaming audiences. Earlier this year, the agency partnered with Amazon to launch NASA+ content on Prime Video’s free ad-supported TV (fast) channel. Wes Brown, acting deputy administrator of NASA's Office of Communications, said in a statement at the time that NASA+ expanded across multiple services to support the agency's broader mission “to share its mission more effectively.”
Through its partnership with Netflix, NASA will gain a global audience of more than 700 million people. Netflix, in turn, will add well-known space coverage to its platform. NASA recently won an Emmy Award for airing the 2024 solar eclipse.
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Netflix's businesses entering space programs are constantly aligning with people's attention to live entertainment. Ribbons have had particularly success in live sports in recent months, with Jake Paul and Mike Tyson playing boxing last year between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, attracting nearly 65 million games for a pair of NFL games on Christmas Day.
In addition to sports, Netflix also tends to participate in live events such as awards ceremony, comedy shows and talk shows. “It's a very fast ramp,” said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, referring to the company's push to invest in real-time programming.
As part of its growing strategy, Netflix is also increasingly accepting licensing agreements with live streaming partners. Earlier this month, it announced its first agreement with French television network TF1 to bring its channels and on-demand content to Netflix users in France by 2026, an expansion reflects the company's broad ambitions beyond traditional products.
