Netflix is getting ‘Dexter’ and ruining our Halloween plans

By Ryan Waniata Updated October 29, 2013

dexter

Those lamenting the loss of America’s favorite serial killer killer (no, that’s not redundant) can rejoice today, as Netflix announced Dexter will make its triumphant return to the red halls for your violent viewing pleasure, just in time for Halloween.

The announcement is just the latest coup for Netflix, which is fresh off a streaming service-first Emmy for its original series House of Cards, as well as garnering lavish praise for originals such as Orange is the New Black, and posting a record number of U.S. subscribers recently, besting the mighty HBO with over 31 million users.

Possibly to stop its viewers from binge watching into Thanksgiving, Netflix will reportedly release Dexter in phases, providing the first four seasons available for streaming this Halloween, and saving the final four to be released at the start of the new year. Some may recall the series was previously part of the Netflix collection until 2011, when a renegotiation of Netflix’s contract with CBS provided an exodus of content, including another popular CBS owned series, Californication.

While the much discussed recent series finale left some viewers dissatisfied, the move back to Netflix may usher in a whole new audience that missed the show on its first go-around, as well as bringing back avid fans for a second take. So, if you’ve lost touch with the most personable sociopath on TV, now’s your chance to get reacquainted.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ryan Waniata is a multi-year veteran of the digital media industry, a lover of all things tech, audio, and TV, and a…

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Dexter on Showtime

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The Witcher Netflix

THE WITCHER | FINAL TRAILER | NETFLIX

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One day you might get emergency alerts through Netflix and Spotify

Hawaii

A bipartisan bill was recently reintroduced in the Senate to require audio and video streaming services to display emergency alerts like those for hurricanes and tornadoes while you’re watching or listening to them.
The bill, which was introduced by U.S. senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and John Thune (R-S.D.), was originally introduced by the senators last year after a false missile alert text was inadvertently sent out in Hawaii.
Called the Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement (READI) Act, the legislation’s goal is to ensure that more people are able to receive emergency alerts.
“When a missile alert went out across Hawaii last year, some people never got the message on their phones, while others missed it on their TVs and radios. Even though it was a false alarm, the missile alert exposed real flaws in the way people receive emergency alerts,” Schatz, the lead Democrat on the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, said in a prepared statement. “Our bill fixes a number of important problems with the system responsible for delivering emergency alerts. In a real emergency, these alerts can save lives so we have to do everything we can to get it right.”
According to a blog post on Schatz’s site, the READI Act would ultimately:
•Ensure more people receive emergency alerts by eliminating the option to opt-out of receiving certain federal alerts, including missile alerts, on mobile phones;
•Require active alerts issued by the President or FEMA to be repeated. Currently, alerts on TV or radio may only be played once;
•Explore establishing a system to offer emergency alerts to audio and video online streaming services, such as Netflix and Spotify;
•Encourage State Emergency Communications Committees to periodically review and update their State Emergency Alert System Plans, which are often out of date;
•Compel FEMA to create best practices for state, tribal, and local governments to use for issuing alerts, avoiding false alerts, and retracting false alerts if they occur, as well as for alert origination training and plans for officials to contact each other and federal officials during emergencies; and
•Establish a reporting system for false alerts so the FCC can track when they occur and examine their causes.
In addition to the Senate bill, companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawai‘i), Pete Olson (R-Texas), and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.). The READI Act is supported by NCTA -- The Internet and Television Association, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the Internet Association, CTIA -- The Wireless Association, and the Wireless Infrastructure Association.