Shonda Rhimes leaving ABC after 15 years as she becomes the latest to join Netflix

Image from The Hollywood Reporter

By Darian Scalamoni

            Netflix is constantly growing. Day by day, week by week acquiring companies like Millarworld, talents such as the Coen Brothers and Martin Scorsese but their latest power ploy could change the landscape of television. According to Collider and Ted Sarandos, the COO of Netflix, Shonda Rhimes is moving to Netflix after a 15-year long relationship with ABC Studios.

            Rhimes is the creator of mega-popular series like Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and Private Practice is heading to the streaming giant to produce content for years to come. Sarandos said in a statement today, “Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest storytellers in the history of television. Her work is gripping, inventive, pulse-pounding, heart-stopping, taboo-breaking television at its best. I’ve gotten the chance to know Shonda and she’s a true Netflixer at heart — she loves TV and films, she cares passionately about her work, and she delivers for her audience. We’re so excited to welcome her to Netflix.”

            This is a remarkable leap forward not only for Shondaland but also Netflix, who convinced one of the top showrunners to leave a global market and company such as ABC. I also think this could be a shot at ABC’s parent company, Disney who just announced their own streaming service taking their movies and TV shows off of Netflix. This could help boost Netflix even more with the popularity of Rhimes’ shows and it should be interesting going forward the types of new programs that will head to streaming.