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Streaming Media

"Streaming" multimedia allows the user to begin viewing video clips stored on our server, without first downloading the entire file. After a brief period of initializing and buffering, the file will begin to stream - or play - in real time.

It's on Netflix, can I show it to my class? (updated 5/1/2024)

Short answer: NO

Except: Netflix Original documentaries with a GRANT OF PERMISSION FOR EDUCATIONAL SCREENINGS - keep scrolling for that list. This is not available for all Netflix Originals and/or Documentaries.

Long answer: The Netflix End User License Agreement or Terms of Use, which you agreed to when you created an account, specifies that the account is "only for your personal, non-commercial use." Netflix is not alone here; Amazon Prime, Hulu, and other personal streaming vendors do not grant rights for institutional or educational use.

This is important because licenses overrule copyright exemptions. Showing your personal DVD during class is covered by a specific copyright exemption (Section 110), and showing clips can be covered by fair use (Section 107). However, streaming videos from personal subscription vendors in your classroom when the license prohibits such viewings? There is no copyright exemption for that and the situation is problematic.

This is why the library offers to obtain streaming videos through institutional subscription vendors like Alexander Street Press, Swank, Films on Demand, Docuseek2, or Ambrose Digital Video

Netflix Original Documentaries with Educational Screening Permission (ESP)

As of 5/1/2024 (previous check 12/2023) the following titles are available for a one-time educational screening. You must have a personal Netflix account in order to show these titles in the classroom during a face-to-face traditional setting. Always double-check the details page for each title, before showing, to ensure that the Grant of Permission is still applicable. Films added after 2021 now have a link that says "Before screening this title, read the Educational Screening Permission (ESP)."


There is no easy way to search Netflix for a list of documentaries so unless you have a specific Netflix-owned title that you want to search, it can be difficult to browse media.netflix.com. That is why the list below is checked at least once a year. You might also find the supplied Google search to be helpful.

Google Web Search

Netflix and Educational Screening - updated 5/1/2024

Some Netflix Original educational documentaries are available for one-time educational screenings. 

To find out which titles are available for educational screenings, visit media.netflix.com (link above) and search for the title or browse our recent and upcoming releases. Below, there is an incomplete list of documentaries that are covered by this educational screenings permission. Titles that are available for educational screening will display the following grant of permission on their details page:


UPDATED 5/1/2024: GRANT OF PERMISSION FOR EDUCATIONAL SCREENINGS - taken from Netflix's website

Netflix is proud to present original programming that speaks to our users in a meaningful way. We know that many of you are as excited about these films and series as we are, and because of their informational aspects, you’d like to show them in an educational setting -- e.g., in the classroom, at the next meeting of your community group, with your book club, etc. Consequently, we will permit one-time educational screenings of any of the titles noted with this information, on the following terms:

The film or series may only be accessed via the Netflix service, by a Netflix account holder. We don’t sell DVDs, nor can we provide other ways for you to exhibit the film.

The screening must be non-profit and non-commercial. That means you can’t charge admission, or solicit donations, or accept advertising or commercial sponsorships in connection with the screening.

Please don’t use Netflix’s logos in any promotion for the screening, or do anything else that indicates that the screening is “official” or endorsed by Netflix.

"One-time screening" means that you can't hold screenings several times in one day or one week - but if, for example, you're an educator who wants to show these films or series once a semester over multiple semesters, that's okay.

We trust our users to respect these guidelines, which are intended to help you share and discuss our content in your community.

To the extent your institution requires you to demonstrate that you have a license for your screening, please show them this page.

Netflix (Updated 4/17/2020)

This LibGuide is licensed CC - Attribution

cc by icon Tabitha Ochtera MLIS, Serials & Media Librarian, originally created 2018