Netflix takes first Chinese online drama

US-based streamer Netflix has picked up an Asian murder series that marks its first acquisition of an online drama produced in China.

Youku Toudo’s Day & Night

The agreement with streamer Youku Tudou will see Netflix taking global rights outside of China to 32-part detective series Day & Night.

The show, which has been watched four billion times since premiering at the end of August, was produced for the Alibaba Group-backed streamer and is reportedly its first to secure a global distribution deal.

Day & Night is directed by Wei Wang and follows a detective whose brother is suspected of a murder.

Netflix has struggled to make an impact in China because of the country’s strict media regulations but agreed a licensing deal with local player iQiyi earlier this year.

The pact makes Netflix’s original content available on the Beijing-based firm’s platform at the same time it is launched around the world.