Will the NetFlix model change TV for better or worse

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The two-time Oscar winner (who's also now a two-time Emmy nominee) began his remarks by criticizing the pilot process that dominates the U.S. TV industry. "We went to all the major networks with 'House of Cards,' and every single one was interested in the idea, but every single one wanted us to do a pilot first ... It wasn't out of arrogance that David Fincher and Beau Willimon and I were not interested in having to audition the idea, it was that we wanted to start to tell a story that would take a long time to tell. We were creating a sophisticated, multi-layered story with complex characters who would reveal themselves over time, and relationships that would need space to play out. And the obligation, of course, of doing a pilot, from the writing perspective, is that you have to spend about 45 minutes establishing the characters and create arbitrary cliffhangers and basically prove that what you're setting out to do is going to work."

Spacey then pivoted towards the Netflix model, arguing that the freedom it gives viewers to "binge-watch" is changing their relationship with TV in a profound way.

"Clearly, the success of the Netflix model, releasing the entire season of 'House Of Cards' at once, proved one thing: the audience wants the control. They want the freedom. If they want to binge, as they've been doing on 'House of Cards' and lots of other shows, then we should let them binge," he said.

Spacey argued that the Netflix model could save the television industry from the widespread piracy that has decimated the music industry.

"And through this new form of distribution, we have demonstrated that we have learned the lesson that the music industry didn't learn: give people what they want, when they want it, in the form they want it in, at a reasonable price, and they'll more likely pay for it rather than steal it."

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