Netflix ‘in talks over Singapore launch’

Global streaming service Netflix has reportedly entered into talks with Singapore’s Media Development Authority over a planned launch in the Asian territory.

The Singapore Times reported that Netflix is keen to avoid the examples of fellow US-based media and tech firms Google and Apple, both of whom launched in Singapore without regulatory go-ahead and were later forced to pull down restricted content.

“We don’t want to do that,” said Netflix’s chief communications officer, Jonathan Friedland, adding the streamer wanted to have “good relations” with the Singaporean government, of which the influential MDA is a branch.

Netflix revealed it would launch in the Asia region in early 2016, though there is no date for the roll out as of yet.

According to a report in Channel News Asia, Netflix plans to launch in Singapore through partnerships with local telecommunications firms at a starting price point of around S$11 (US$8) a month.

Friedland said Netflix had held meeting with SingTel and StarHub over “possible forms of cooperation”.

“We are also going to have a much bigger selection of Korean, Mandarin and Cantonese drama in this part of the world,” Friedland told Channel News Asia. “We have to learn what people really want, and curate the selection. We’re trying to have different things for different people, and create a really rich portfolio of content.”

Netflix has previously revealed it will create local Asian programming following agreements in Japan and South Korea.

A separate report in the local press this week suggests Netflix is also primed to launch in the Gulf UAE state.