Netflix signs deal with Relativity to stream movies in same time frame as pay TV channels

Netflix adds to online movies with Relativity deal

LOS ANGELES — Netflix is adding to the group of movies that its subscribers can watch online or over Internet-connected devices at the same time as they would have appeared on premium pay TV channels such as HBO or Showtime.

The deal announced Tuesday with film financier Relativity Media adds to a batch of newer movies from Disney and Sony that can be watched online through Netflix’ 2-year-old deal with Starz Entertainment on a service called Starz Play.

With new movies from Relativity available early next year, about one-fifth of the rental movie chain’s 100,000 movie and TV show titles can now be streamed online.

The company is gradually transforming itself from a mail-order DVD service to one that makes available content online over game consoles, Blu-ray players, mobile devices and TVs.