Netflix vying for first rights to new TV series

Netflix is trying to buy Internet streaming rights to a 26-episode drama starring Kevin Spacey before the series is shown on a television network.

If the deal is completed, it would mark a bold step in a new direction for Netflix's popular video subscription service. The more than 20,000 titles in Netflix Inc.'s streaming library primarily consist of previously aired TV series and older movies.

The talks were reported earlier by Deadline.com. A person familiar with the negotiations on Wednesday confirmed Netflix's interest in the series "House of Cards." The person spoke on condition of anonymity because a deal hasn't been reached.

Should it win rights to "House of Cards," Netflix would emerge as an even more serious threat to pay-TV channels such as HBO. Netflix has 20 million subscribers.