How Much Is Jerry Seinfeld Worth To Netflix?

Comedian and cultural icon Jerry Seinfeld has inked a massive content deal with Netflix, Inc. NFLX, as the streaming video giant continues to boost its impressive original comedy library.

The comprehensive deal includes Seinfeld’s hit Crackle show “Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee” making the jump to Netflix later this year. In addition, Seinfeld will create two new stand-up specials for Netflix and will develop both scripted and non-scripted TV series for the network.

Earlier this month, Netflix added the 2007 animated movie "Bee Movie," which stars Seinfeld. The movie grossed more than $287 million in global box office sales.

The value of the new deal has not been disclosed, but Netflix likely paid a steep price to land Seinfeld. Last year, Hulu paid a staggering $700,000 per episode to air reruns of the “Seinfeld” TV show that ended in 1998.

The show has earned roughly $3.1 billion in syndication since its final episode aired. Hulu reported that more than 700,000 subscribers streamed "Seinfeld" episodes in the first five days they were available.

At the peak of the show’s popularity, Seinfeld reportedly earned $267 million annually from the show.

NBC even offered Seinfeld $100 million for one more season of the hit TV show, but the comedian turned the offer down.

According to CheatSheet, Seinfeld was already the wealthiest actor in the world prior to the new Netflix deal, with a net worth of $820 million.

Seinfeld’s comedy deal comes on the heels of recent Netflix deals with Chris Rock and Dave Chapelle. The comedy push is part of Netflix’s drive to shift its library to 50 percent original content within the next several years.

Given the popularity the Seinfeld brand has sustained 20 years after the show's final episode aired, Netflix may have just scored some major points in the streaming content battle.

Image: David Shankbone, Flickr