Netflix’s ever-expanding content library may take some hits now and again with up-and-coming rivals_ taking on the kind of rights that increase competitiveness when spread, but for the most part the easily-identifiable red brand hold clear control over the streaming market, something they will look to solidify through their in-progress updates for April 2014.

The introduction of new content amounts to a total of 5 TV shows and 56 movies, with the headlines in the former category likely to be spearheaded by the fact that the complete series of medical drama House, M.D. is now available, as well as seasons 1-4 of Royal Pains and the 3rd season of Bob’s Burgers, the second of Fox’s Animation Domination block from the 2012-13 season to feature following cancelled series The Cleveland Show‘s 4th run.

TV content being introduced either side of the 1 April primary date includes the 6th season of Mad Men (a fortnight ahead of a 7th season premiere on AMC), and

Movie-wise, the list of titles added includes the first 5 features in the Rocky franchise, 90’s hits such as Braveheart, Jumanji, The English Patient, and Titanic, whilst other stand-alone titles include Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The Terminator, amongst others.

The list in full is below, but will the recent loss of content including 24 have been sufficiently replaced by this batch? 

Netflix TV Show Releases: April 2014

30 March:

• Mad Men: Season 6

1 April:

• Bob’s Burgers: Season 3
• Royal Pains: Seasons 1-4
• House, M.D.: Complete Series

3 April:

• Short Poppies: Season 1

Netflix Movie Releases: April 2014

1 April:

• Ali
• Alice
• Amistad
• Barton Fink
• Braveheart
• Chinatown
• Click
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind
• Commune
• Coneheads
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
• Death Wish
• Death Wish 2
• The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
• Dragonslayer
• The English Patient
• The Fifth Element
• Gattaca
• Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
• Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
• The Heart of the Game
• Inventing the Abbotts
• Jumanji
• Lars and the Real Girl
• A League of Their Own
• Look Who’s Talking Now
• A Man Called Peter
• A Marine Story
• The Man With One Red Shoe
• Mean Girls
• The Muppets Take Manhattan
• My Bloody Valentine
• My Bodyguard
• The Naked Gun 2 1/2
• Night of the Comet
• The Odd Couple
• Point Blank
• Rabbit Proof Fence
• The Robe
• Rocky
• Rocky II
• Rocky III
• Rocky IV
• Rocky V
• The Running Man
• Scary Movie 3
• See No Evil, Hear No Evil
• Sense and Sensibility
• Steel Magnolias
• Survival of the Dead
• The Terminator
• The Thomas Crown Affair
• Titanic
• Wild Things 2
• The Yards

3 April:

• The Last Days on Mars

Hearing news of the name ‘Titanic II’ would generally conjure up mental images of James Cameron selling out in a similar way to the upcoming Avatar sequels, but in a more excusable case of the common mistakes made when referencing the movie and real-life tragedy, this will be the name of an actual ship constructed by a billionaire.

Planned to formally set sail in 2016, Clive Palmer (an Australian businessman specialising in natural resources) looks set to really tempt fate and make a maiden voyage of the passenger liner 104 years on from Southampton (England) to New York City (USA), a journey which the ‘unsinkable’ original infamously never accomplished due to hitting an iceberg on 15 April 1912.

And just to make the chance to ‘complete the journey’ even more realistic, he has claimed that the ship will be ‘recreating the feel’ of the first Titanic, right down to a 1912-based dress code, for which costumes will be provided.

Furthermore, the ship will boast plenty of features that the original had, including on-board swimming pools, squash courts, and dining areas, though there will also be the infamous rule that second and third-class passengers will not be able to mingle with first, meaning that the chance to recreate the movie’s iconic Jack & Rose ‘I’m flying’ moment is as limited as on the fictional version.

There will, however, be limited modern conveniences, including living facilities and possibly the internet, but no TV, with authenticity seemingly being the main goal of the project, with ticket prices for this ‘experience’ currently unconfirmed.

Palmer commissioned the Titanic II in 2012 (meaning that it will be built on a 4-year timescale, another similarity to the original), but only confirmed his decision at a press conference yesterday (26 February). He stated of the ship’s features: “The area [for] passengers will be authentic with the same design and facilities. But there will be modern things such as air conditioning and other features we are debating – such as internet on the ship. There won’t be TVs in the state rooms, though. It will really help you pretend you are in the movie. The Titanic stands as a monument and hope [for] everyone who came to America to fulfil their dreams. Today, we know the US has become what it has become. A great Republic is the best hope for the world and mankind, and the Titanic can play a big role in that.”

The new vessel will have a capacity of 2,600 passengers and 900 crew members (both slightly higher than numbers ), while Palmer has guaranteed that there will be enough lifeboats for all people on the ship should the unthinkable come to pass. At least they’re a little better prepared than before, but would you board with fate seemingly willing Titanic II to join its namesake on the ocean floor and become the subject of endless movies and documentaries?

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