TBI Weekly: Netflix looks to China – again

This week it has become apparent that Netflix is looking to China once more, but this time with a different plan.

Netflix had big plans for a China launch back in 2015, only to realise that the territory is a tougher nut to crack than once thought. The streamer stated tough regulatory measures for international companies as the core reason for reeling back on its initial enthusiasm.

Since, the company has played down much of its minimal investment in the area. But it seems that things are changing and while Netflix may not be launching a service, it is certainly still looking for content ties in the region.

This week, the streamer acquired its first online Chinese drama Day and Night from Alibaba-owned Youku Tudou – a localised streaming service in the area. There have also been other signs of ties with the region, including striking a deal with Chinese SVOD service iQiyi which will carry Netflix originals in the country.

In August, Netflix also brought in a Chinese-language original from Taiwan, showing bets certainly aren’t off between the two power-houses.

Also in the news…

Entertainment One and The Gotham Group will produce a TV series based on bestselling author Ruth Ware’s The Lying Game.

Kudos has acquired TV rights to top female firefighter’s memoir Through the Fire.

JAM Media has secured a broadcast deal for its hybrid live action animated series Little Roy with Universal Kids.

Bomanbridge Media, a Singapore-based content distribution and production agency, secured a distribution partnership with Level-5 Abby Hong Kong.

FremantleMedia has acquired the format rights to entertainment series Vs Kids from TV Asahi in Japan.

Spain’s Telefonica has acquired the first two seasons of Studiocanal’s new series – tense thriller Below The Surface and prestige drama Ride Upon The Storm.

Quintus Media has secured sales for two of its high end factual documentaries Mega Transports and Ultimate Vehicles produced by Maximus Film GmbH.

Premium kids content distributor Federation Kids & Family and its sister production company Cottonwood Media will partner with Chinese family entertainment company UYOUNG for their preschool show The Ollie & Moon Show. 

ITV has commissioned a Christmas Special with renowned chefs Gordon Ramsay and Gino D’Acampo alongside First Dates Maître D Fred Siriex.

Endemol Shine Group made an agreement with Microsoft to introduce a new cloud-based production workflow system, built on Microsoft Azure, which has already been trialled with reality format Big Brother.

Former Disney-executive, Kara Lord Piersimoni, joins Guru as vice president of production and Daniel Rattner takes on the new role of senior director of marketing and branding.