NETFLIX NEARS DEAL TO BUY WILLY WONKA CREATOR’S CATALOGUE

Netflix Inc. is in talks to purchase the works of the late British novelist Roald Dahl, according to people with knowledge of the matter, potentially snaring a catalogue that has sold more than 200 million copies worldwide, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A deal could be announced in days, said the people. Netflix already had a three-year-old agreement with the Roald Dahl Story Co. to make animated shows based on his material. Now it’s buying the whole business. An acquisition is a rare event for Netflix — the company has made fewer than 10 in the past decade — and this would be its biggest. Netflix’s usual practice is to sign deals with bigname filmmakers and TV producers who can deliver the programming the service needs to attract subscribers.