Netflix 'Lilyhammer' Series: Trailer For Streaming Site's New Original Show Released (VIDEO)

As Netflix moves away from physical DVDs and into streaming movies and television shows, it has also ordered original programming of its own, including high-profile purchases of the David Fincher-Kevin Spacey series "House of Cards" and a new season of cult classic "Arrested Development".

Before those two highly-anticipated shows arrive, however, Netflix subscribers will get "Lilyhammer," about a mobster in the witness protection program in Norway.

"Lilyhammer" will debut on Netflix in February, and the trailer is out now.

WATCH TRAILER:

If that didn't make it clear, here's the description of the show from a Netflix press release announcing the series:

"Lilyhammer," follows New York mobster Frank "The Fixer" Tagliano as he enters the federal witness protection program after ratting on his boss. A sports fan, Frank wants to make his new life in Lillehammer, the Norwegian town that hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics – or as he calls it "Lilyhammer." Frank has visions of a paradise of "clean air, fresh white snow and gorgeous broads" far away from the temptations of the Big Apple and from mob hit men. Reality, of course, turns out to be spectacularly different.

The show will run 8 hourlong episodes in its first season and will premiere on Netflix on Monday, February 6.

"Lilyhammer" is the first of many original shows that will hit Netflix's streaming catalogue. Embattled Netflix CEO Reed Hastings emphasized in a recent letter to investors that he views the company's future in the streaming of both quality shows from other channels and the creation of original, exclusive content.

Wrote Hastings:

In television...the networks (ABC, FX, etc.) have long relied upon exclusive content to differentiate among themselves. As video moves online, so too has this practice of exclusive content. Hbo has an exclusive license to recent Universal movies tha tincludes its online HBO GO, for example. Netflix has signed exclusive licenses for DreamWorks Animation, for Relativity, and others. In episodic television, exclusives are also the norm. Netflix doesn't license "deadwood" from HBO because they see strategic value in keeping it exclusive. Netflix licenses "Mad Men" and "House of Cards" exclusively for much the same reason.

"Lilyhammer" will be Netflix's first venture into the exclusive streaming of an original episodic television show, and the company is certainly hoping that "Sopranos" veteran Steven Van Zandt will create the must-see buzz that the HBO mobster drama enjoyed during its original run.

Netflix subscribers can check out the Lilyhammer Netflix preview page here.

Comments

[Kenee0034]

12:04 AM on 06/12/2012

I must say I liked everything about this series and I'm looking forward to season 2

[Sorin Marghitoiu]

04:01 PM on 01/06/2012

I also cut my cable cord a while ago and couldn't be happier. Beside Netflix, I also use Hulu Plus to cover basically all my movie needs and VUDU occasionally if I want something new. Way cheaper than cable and much easier to use. Also got a media streamer connected to each tv in the house, they got so cheaper lately...If interested, found the best media streamer devices, no reason to keep paying the cable bill.

reviewhorizon.com/2012/01/best-media-streamers-2012-top-10/

[David Vynerib]

07:41 AM on 01/04/2012

Hmmm. Seems like a natural fit. Great idea. However, lets see how things play out. Having been a loyal Netflix subscriber for years and years - just this week I signed up for Amazon Prime - $79 for the year - books and movies. A lot will happen in 2012 - excited to see it play out. David Vynerib

[ILoveGreatDanes]

07:53 AM on 01/04/2012

I like my Amazon Prime a lot better than I ever liked Netflix. Their streaming selection is much more current.

[plasmaborne4rel]

11:48 AM on 01/04/2012

Is it not true that Prime is a lot more current and a lot more limited?

[IDIOTA]

07:02 AM on 01/04/2012

Smart move

[mamacat]

06:13 AM on 01/04/2012

Am very much looking forward to watching "Lilyhammer".

My partner and I are among those who are still very happy with Netflix. Our lives in the evening would be much poorer without the entertainment they make available.

[Chris Berry]

04:48 AM on 01/04/2012

I'm really confused by all of this. By creating its own original programming while phasing out its gigantic DVD collection and losing streaming content -- It seems like Netflix is turning into a mirror of HBO/Showtime/Starz "On Demand" service except that it's not attached to cable. It looks completely different than the Blockbuster competitor it started out as. Maybe it's a necessity. Maybe it's a good thing. I don't know. I do miss the old days though.

[emeraldcite]

10:46 PM on 01/03/2012

Netflix should invest in more original genre programming. Some inexpensive, but well-written shows would really boost their service. Think American Horror Story, Twilight Zone, Battlestar Galactica. Some interesting series would pay off in spades.

[kinogod]

10:08 PM on 01/03/2012

This looks like a lame rip of Fargo

[Pectin]

11:06 PM on 01/03/2012

Perhaps, if you've never seen "Fargo"...

[Utrolia]

11:32 AM on 01/28/2012

The movie Fargo takes place in Minnepolis, in an area with a lot of Norwegian heritage going around. It is cold and there is snow. Norway is cold and snowy, and similar to to Fargo because of that. There is no rip-off. This is just how Norway is (especially in Lillehammer). Do some research.

[Marc1940]

07:56 PM on 01/03/2012

Way to go Netflix

[NateinMpls]

07:51 PM on 01/03/2012

I thought to myself yesterday that it would be interesting if Netflix had an original series.... and today, I read it's happening. If only I could choose Powerball numbers.

[Jimmy Angel]

07:32 PM on 01/03/2012

Id love to slam netflix. Esp after the way they approach the changes they make, and the fact that their online selections isnt the greatest.

But to be completely honest, I was just looking at my viewing history online, and I cant believe HOW MANY MOVIES AND TV SHOWS we have watched. Its also great for my 3 year old daughter, who loves to watch dora and diego and the backyardigans a few times a week.

Id say the money we have spent with netflix has been well worth it. I have always just strictly streamed, so I dont know what those who get dvd's are experiencing.

I dont like the way they handle their customers, and hopefully they take losing 800,000 customers as a learning experience. Ill tell you what though, if they continue to make arrogant decisions, I will drop them like a hot potato. I dont care how worth it I think it is.

[JackTheSkipper]

07:15 PM on 01/03/2012

Ditch the DVD delivery and focus on the streaming. Streaming is the future, if not already. People need to move up from their dialup internet access to broadband.

[mamacat]

06:15 AM on 01/04/2012

You may be right about what will happen in the future, but for now I think there is still a place for DVDs.

[plasmaborne4rel]

11:53 AM on 01/04/2012

I'd rather stream a movie yet if it's only available on DVD then it's awesome to have the option to watch it on DVD so my wife and I find even with the price raised both services are worth the money.

[LittleSanityLeft]

06:20 PM on 01/04/2012

It makes sense to get out now though. Much less overhead with streaming and DVD rental is an ever decreasing market. Focusing on their brand as well as streaming quality and content should be their only focus.

[shirlyujest]

06:49 PM on 01/03/2012

Well, I kept my netflix account back in the fall when all that hoo-ha was going on about quikster. THIS makes it worthwhile. Looks like a fun show and can only hope they continue producing it after the first eight. Kind of like the sopranos on ice.

[mamacat]

06:19 AM on 01/04/2012

Someone gave us a 6 month Netflix gift subscription, back before they had streaming. We were immediately hooked. We watch more streaming than DVDs now, but I don't want to give it up yet.

[Pod-gers]

06:48 PM on 01/03/2012

WTG ! Netflix is a great company! I use the DVD service!

[Sherzie]

06:28 PM on 01/03/2012

Big fan of NetFlix video streaming here!

[bjbold]

06:41 PM on 01/03/2012

Me 2.
My Republican days go back to Eisenhower though.

[mamacat]

06:16 AM on 01/04/2012

I helped campaign for Stevenson, but everyone really did Like Ike.