Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) subscribers will have to wait a few more weeks to get their hands on the 2010 reboot of The Karate Kid, but the end result is good news for the DVD-rental specialist.

Sony (NYSE: SNE) becomes the latest major movie studio to strike a deal with Netflix. Sony will provide its DVDs at lower price points and help build up Netflix's digital catalog. In exchange, Netflix won't rent out Sony releases during their first 28 days on DVD.

As long as Netflix's 15 million-plus subscribers don't mind waiting four weeks in exchange for a healthier Netflix and a more robust streaming library, everyone wins, since studios sell most of their DVDs during their first month on the market.

Briefly in the news
And now let's take a quick look at some of the other stories that shaped our week.

  • TiVo (Nasdaq: TIVO) investors gave the DVR pioneer a thumbs-up after the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruled in its favor in its long-running case against EchoStar (Nasdaq: SATS). Yes, we've been to this movie before -- but this time it looks as though we're nearing the end.
  • Ford (NYSE: F) sales soared by 41% in September relative to last year. Most of its peers also posted double-digit percentage gains. The news is all relative, though, since auto sales hit the brakes last September, after the "Cash for Clunkers" rebates ended. 
  • Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO) buys Dapper. General Electric (NYSE: GE) buys Dresser. I don't have any perspective to add, beyond pointing out that consolidation is still alive and well. And I just like saying "Dapper Dresser."

Until next week, I remain,

Rick Munarriz