Netflix to premiere original series 'Montauk' in 2016

LOS ANGELES - Streaming video service provider Netflix Inc said it will premiere its next series, "Montauk", in 2016 as it looks to boost its original content in a highly competitive market. The new drama series, set in 1980 Montauk, Long Island, is about a young boy who vanishes into thin air, Netflix said in a statement. Netflix, which produces the Emmy-winning political thriller "House of Cards" and the comedy-drama "Orange Is the New Black," is trying to push further into original programing in an effort to gain a larger audience. Time Warner Inc's HBO will launch a standalone service over the Internet this month, in time for the season premiere of "Game of Thrones", in a bid to challenge Netflix andAmazon.com Inc. Netflix's "House of Cards" made history in 2013 when it became the first online series to win three Emmys and established Netflix as a leader in original entertainment. Netflix said "Montauk" will have eight one-hour long episodes and will be written and directed by Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer. The Duffer brothers recently directed their first feature film "Hidden", about a family that takes refuge in a fallout shelter to avoid a dangerous outbreak. Netflix shares were up marginally at $413.80 in afternoon trading on the Nasdaq. - Reuters