Netflix makes $400m Canadian pledge

Alias Grace

Global streaming giant Netflix has entered into a five-year original production strategy in Canada worth C$500m (US$400m), in a move that has stirred up some controversy.

Netflix Canada is said to be the streaming giant’s first commissioning hub outside the US, with originals being developed in English and French over the next five years.

The platform signed a deal with the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Mélanie Joly, that will see it continue to work with Canadian producers, production houses, broadcasters, creators and other partners to produce original content.

The strategy will include pitch days for producers, recruitment events and other promotional and market development activities. The deal also supports Canadian French-language content on the service.

The Canadian government has billed the move as a boon for the local production industry, and Netflix will pay no tax on its local original productions.

But some have criticised the advantages enjoyed in Canada by digital players. An open letter from the Quebec creative community called for greater regulation of Netflix, Facebook, YouTube and others last week.

Netflix was already developing originals in Canada, including the miniseries adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace, which it is coproducing with CBC and Halfire Entertainment.