Netflix has shut down its public API, meaning that third-party apps will no longer be able to build interesting Netflix-related apps or integrate Netflix into their experience in any way. That is unless they’re one of a handful of partner developers with access to a private API.
Netflix launched the public API about six years ago, and earlier this year, announced it would be shutting it down. Four months ago, Netflix had this to say about it:
As Netflix continues to grow internationally, the emphasis of our engineering efforts is to satisfy a growing member base and a growing number of devices. To better focus our efforts and to align them with the needs of our global member base, we will be retiring the public API program. Effective on November 14, 2014, public API developers will no longer be able to access Netflix content. All requests to the public API will return 404 errors.
Through the process of ending the program, we will be partnering more directly with a small set of developers whose applications have proven to be the most valuable for many of our members. Those applications will continue to operate beyond November 14, 2014.
Those partner apps include: Instant Watcher, Fanhattan, Yidio, NextGuide, Flixster, Can I Stream It?, FeedFliks, and Instant Watch Browser for Netflix.
Netflix’s own engineers often come up with their own cool applications at the company’s regular hackathons, but these never tend to see the light of day.
via TechCrunch
Image via Netflix