New Showtime series to debut at Netflix

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- The new Showtime series "United States of Tara" is to make its debut at Netflix before it premieres on television, Netflix, Inc. announced.

The online movie rental service said that, starting Thursday, the new series starring Toni Collette and John Corbett can be watched instantly at Netflix in advance of the show's Jan. 18 premiere.

In addition, season premieres of "The L Word" and "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" will be available to Netflix subscribers Jan. 18, the same day as their network debuts.

New shows, which will be available throughout the month of January, can be streamed on PCs, Intel-based Macs and televisions connected to any of a number of Netflix ready devices.

"We're very happy to be working with Netflix to offer their customers a chance to sample 'United States of Tara' before its Jan. 18 Showtime premiere," Robert Hayes, senior vice president and general manager of Showtime Networks Digital Group, said in a statement. "They were a great partner in the past and we look forward to their help in launching this exciting new show for Showtime."

"The excitement and value that these high-profile shows bring to the growing library of choices available to watch instantly at Netflix is appreciated by our members, who are always looking for new and interesting shows to enjoy," added Robert Kyncl, vice president of content acquisition for Netflix.