Los Gatos' Netflix, PBS Strike Deal

Los Gatos-based Netflix Inc. has announced an expanded multi-year licensing agreement with PBS, making a wide variety of its programming available to Netflix members in the U.S. and Canada.

The deal, announced earlier this month, follows a similar one struck by PBS with Amazon that will allow the Internet streaming giant access to hundreds of children's shows such as Caillou, Wild Kratts, Arthur, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and others.

The contract also means that beginning this fall, Netflix members can watch all seasons of the British murder mystery drama The Bletchley Circle, produced by London-based World Prods.

In 2014, Netflix will also become the exclusive streaming-video on-demand home of Super Why!, the award-winning PBS KIDS hit preschool series, which helps children build critical literacy skills through storybook adventures.

Also available will be documentaries from celebrated filmmaker Ken Burns including Prohibition and Central Park Five, and past seasons of popular non-fiction series like Nova and Secrets of the Dead.

"PBS programming is both entertaining and enriching, a combination that Netflix members really appreciate," said Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos in a press release.

"While PBS stations will always be the first place to see our programming, this agreement with Netflix exposes our shows to new audiences and further expands PBS's presence across all media platforms," said Jason Seiken, general manager of PBS Digital.