Netflix’s $500 million offer for Xbox film and TV rights rebuffed by Microsoft’s $800 million ask

Netflix proposed a seven‑year exclusive license to adapt Xbox game franchises for film and TV for $500 million. Microsoft countered with a demand for $800 million, and the negotiations ended after Netflix’s chief content officer Bela Bajaria departed. Both companies said they will continue existing collaborations, while Xbox will now seek smaller, multiple‑partner deals.

The failed deal means Xbox will not receive a single large upfront payment but will instead pursue a series of smaller licensing agreements, potentially spreading revenue over time. Investors should watch for future licensing announcements that could affect Microsoft’s entertainment‑related earnings and Netflix’s content pipeline.

  • 1Netflix offered Microsoft $500 million for exclusive film and TV adaptation rights over seven years.
  • 2Microsoft countered with a request for $800 million for the same seven‑year period.
  • 3Negotiations collapsed after Netflix’s chief content officer Bela Bajaria left the company on October 15.
  • 4Xbox plans to license its franchises in smaller packages to multiple partners.
  • 5Netflix and Xbox remain collaborators on existing projects such as the Minecraft and Diablo animated series.

Sources