Fans and all current members of Steph Miller’s family, rejoice! As of June 1, the on-demand entertainment juggernaut Netflix is adding all of the Millers’ personal home movies to its already-teeming viewing library.
“Our subscribers have spoken and what they want is quality programming that’s enjoyable for viewers of all ages,” read a press release distributed yesterday morning. “Nostalgia is a powerful thing and we’re excited to be a part of that wonderful emotion. Hopefully this is just the first in many acquisitions to bring every family in North America closer to the Millers.”
Following in the footsteps of classic late ‘90s/early 2000s television shows like Gilmore Girls, Ally McBeal, and Friends, all of the Millers’ home videos will be made available in their entirety and exclusively to Netflix users.
If 19-year-old Stephanie Miller’s name doesn’t ring a bell, here’s what you need to know: the Millers are a quirky suburban family from Mission, BC, where the pace of life moves just a bit slower. Throughout the home videos’ duration, viewers get to experience the ups and downs of modern family life, as well as watch the Millers try to balance their lives outside of the house with their responsibilities at home. Comedy, drama, and coming-of-age lessons combine effortlessly in this heartwarming series of videos taken directly from a box in the Millers’ attic.
News of the streaming service’s interest in every last clip of Steph’s embarrassing childhood surfaced late last year, but a question of copyright ownership reportedly prevented Netflix from closing any deals. However, because the Miller clan operates under the strict guidelines of Mr. Miller’s “my house, my rules” policy, it was ultimately decided that because his money paid for the video camera, the device — and all footage recorded on it — belonged to him, he was free to make the deal.
At the start of next month, all of the Millers’ favourite home videos will be available for instant viewing, including “Baby’s first steps,” “Piano recital (Stephy),” and “Mexico vacation ’99.” Even home movies from the family’s less popular/critically successful years, like “New Years 2010,” will be streaming on Netflix.
“Sorry weeknd plans w/ friends #netflix #millermania,” one Twitter user tweeted following the announcement, using the hashtag millermania to imply his excitement over Netflix’s latest addition.
“Jus finishd daredevil,” another user tweeted, “almost had 2 go outside but crisis avertd #millermania.”
Netflix has yet to comment on how much the exclusive streaming rights to the Millers’ personal videos cost, but rivals like Hulu and Amazon Prime are surely kicking themselves at the lost opportunity.
In the meantime, HBO GO has announced that they will begin streaming all of Korban Daniels from Barkerville’s family videos as early as this summer.
“It certainly seems like this is where the market is heading,” said Tony Stanfield, an expert in marketing and technology at SFU. “First streaming services were focused on current shows, then on older shows, followed by debuting original content. It wouldn’t surprise me if in five or 10 years, home video footage occupied a large chunk of the world’s streaming content.”
