Showtime Scuttles Netflix Deal

Wow, it's like having to choose betwen your divorcing parents - last week Netflix announced its intention to produce an original series like the cable networks do, and today Showtime announced it won't stream some of its content on Netflix any more.

Showtime said Tuesday that its newly negotiated deal with Netflix, which takes effect this summer, no longer includes online streaming rights to its currently airing first-run series, such as "Dexter" and "Californication."

When the new agreement kicks in, episodes of those shows will disappear from Netflix and will be offered exclusively on Showtime's online service.

"A number of Showtime original series will continue to be available and stream on Netflix including 'The Tudors' and 'Sleeper Cell,' among others," Showtime said in a statement, referring to programs that have gone off the air.

This is a significant departure from Showtime's current arrangement with Netflix, which expires this summer. Under that pact, the cable channel provided several seasons of "Dexter" and "Californication" to Netflix in an effort to introduce its signature shows to a wider audience.

Daddy, mommy, don't fight!

Well if I have to choose, streaming Netflix is 8 bucks a month, Showtime is something like $80 (you have to get it on top of a cable package) and the economy sucks. You do the math.