LOS GATOS, Calif. — Netflix said Wednesday it will allow users to stream the first four seasons of the hit television series “Mad Men,” the critically acclaimed show about a 1960s advertising agency, as the company continues to boost its online offerings.
The Los Gatos, Calif.-based company, which began as a solely DVD-by-mail company, has evolved into a video-streaming power.
The move to allow streaming of the earlier “Mad Men” seasons comes after Netflix earlier this month disclosed plans to separate its streaming and mail-order DVD subscription plans in the US, raising the cost for subscribers who want both services by 60 percent.
The company plans to use the price rise to help fuel the acquisition of television shows and movies for its streaming service.
In April, The Wall Street Journal reported Netflix was close to finalizing an agreement with Lions Gate Entertainment, which produces the show. At the time, people close to the matter said the deal was worth between $75 million to $100 million to stream all seven seasons.
So far, four seasons of the show have aired on AMC, although creator Matthew Weiner has said the show would run for seven.
Separately, Netflix and CBS announced a two-year, non-exclusive international licensing pact which will allow users in Canada and Latin America to stream some of the broadcasting company’s television shows. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The content deal was part of Netflix’s plan to gear up a launch in 43 countries across Mexico, South America and the Caribbean later this year. Under the CBS deal, previous seasons of “Dexter,” “Californication,” “Medium” and other titles will be available to Latin American users to stream.
On Monday, Netflix reported its second-quarter earnings rose 57 percent, although costs to win customers rose from the prior quarter and its rate of lost subscriptions increased in the US.