Netflix wants to license its original shows for merchandise such as toys and comics. The move follows a successful test of Stranger Things merchandise at Hot Topic.
The news came to light in a job listing spotted by Bloomberg. The ad mentions that the idea is for licensed merchandise to act as a promotional tool for Netflix’s original shows “so they become part of the zeitgeist for longer periods of time.” Strangely there’s no mention of the fact the licensing would also bring in revenue for Netflix.
The ad also suggests Netflix is targeting the mass market, including retail stores, rather than the merchandise being a niche affair, and that any product should be “relevant, topical and sparks member desire.”
Exactly which shows could be covered will depend on contractual terms. Bloomberg notes that although Stranger Things was made entirely in-house, other high profile Netflix originals such as House of Cards and Orange Is The New Black were both made by outside firms.