Before we get to the meat of the article, it should most definitely be highlighted that Seasons 1-3 of Breaking Bad are now available to stream via Netflix. The surprise announcement adds a show that would most definitely appear in the top 5 of our list of the Best TV Shows on Netflix Instant Watch.

As you may have recently heard, Netflix and Starz were unable to reach an agreement to renew their contract, so all of the “Starz Play” movies will no longer be available to stream beginning February 28^th of 2012.

It’s a sizeable loss for Netflix, and a potential signal of rough waters ahead for the company. Netflix offered Starz $300 million but they wouldn’t take it. Given how limited Starz library is, it’s a relatively surprising move. Here’s my opinion: don’t get mad at Netflix, they’re doing everything they can to have a stellar (and profitable) product but the typically backwards thinking of the big studio executives is killing it. Streaming is still too new for them to commit to it in any big way, especially in something as potentially comprehensive as Netflix. This is no Blockbuster situation, Netflix is not going to go under because they’re sitting idly by, ignoring consumer trends.

Here’s a list of the Starz Play movies you should make an effort to watch before they expire (click any of them to add them to your queue):

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