Netflix, Inc. and Flavor Unit Entertainment, the production company owned by Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere, today announced an exclusive licensing agreement for movies in the U.S. In the first-look deal, Netflix will have its pick of movies that will debut on the world’s leading Internet television subscription service shortly after their theatrical release from the company that produced box office hits like “Bringing Down the House” and “Beauty Shop”. Beginning in Spring 2013, Netflix members can exclusively enjoy Flavor Unit titles including the thriller, “House of Bodies”, starring Terrence Howard and Peter Fonda and “Percentage” starring Ving Rhames, Cam’ron and Macy Gray.
“We are delighted to work with Queen Latifah to be the exclusive destination for what are sure to be relevant, entertaining movies,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer of Netflix. “Queen Latifah has a long track record of creating hits and Flavor Unit Entertainment is a fresh and exciting voice in the industry.”
“Shakim and I are thrilled to do business with Netflix. Netflix is such a strong brand and the perfect place to showcase our projects,” said Queen Latifah.
Among a long line of hits, Flavor Unit is most recently responsible for producing the Lifetime Original Movie “Steel Magnolias” starring Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott and Alfre Woodard, which became the third most-watched telecast ever on a network with 6.5 million viewers.
Flavor Unit Entertainment is a production company owned and operated by Queen Latifah and her partner, Shakim Compere. Flavor Unit Entertainment, which started in New Jersey and is now based in Miami, is quickly establishing itself as one of the most important production companies in the film industry.
They began by executive producing Disney’s box office # 1 hit Bringing Down the House and then continued with Beauty Shop for MGM and The Perfect Holiday for Paramount. They have also produced The Cookout with Lionsgate as well as the film Just Wright with Fox Searchlight. On the small screen, they executive produced HBO’s critically acclaimed film Life Support which garnered a number of awards including an Emmy nomination and Golden Globe win for Queen Latifah . Flavor Unit Entertainment made a multi-year deal with BET to create new original programming including the original movie The Cookout 2 and its first-ever scripted romantic comedy titled Let’s Stay Together which premiered with 4.4 million viewers.
In 2011, Flavor Unit Entertainment’s original film Single Ladies, was expanded into VH1’s first hour-long scripted series with approximately 3 million viewers throughout its two season run. Flavor Unit produced Latifah’s film Joyful Noise. Most recently, Flavor Unit produced Lifetime’s Original Movie, Steel Magnolias which stars Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott and Alfre Woodard. The movie premiered this October as the third most-watched telecast ever on the network, averaging 6.5 million total viewers. Last summer, Flavor Unit Entertainment is premiered the CW show The Next: Fame is at Your Doorstep. The show is a new take on the music competition genre and included superstar mentors Gloria Estefan, John Rich, Nelly and Joe Jonas.