The Netflix effect: Streaming platform highlights global economic and cultural impact
Netflix has released a report titled The Netflix Effect, outlining the economic, cultural and social impact of its productions across different countries over the past decade.
Netflix has released a report titled The Netflix Effect, outlining the economic, cultural and social impact of its productions across different countries over the past decade.
The company said its global expansion, which began in 2016 when the platform became available in more than 190 countries, was built on a strategy focused on local storytelling and local production. According to Netflix, the approach has contributed to job creation, business growth and cultural influence in different regions of the world.
Netflix stated that it produced its first original series outside the United States in 2015 with Club De Cuervos in Mexico. Since then, the company said it has filmed productions in more than 4,500 cities and towns across over 50 countries.
The streaming company disclosed that it has invested more than $135 billion in films and series over the last 10 years. It said the spending contributed over $325 billion to the global economy and created more than 425,000 jobs linked directly to its production.
Netflix said the impact of its productions extends beyond film sets and entertainment. The company pointed to jobs created for writers, directors, technicians, caterers, drivers and local business owners in communities where productions take place.
In the United States, Netflix said the four seasons of The Lincoln Lawyer contributed more than $425 million to the economy of California. The production also employed over 4,300 cast and crew members while filming at more than 50 locations across Los Angeles.
The company also highlighted the impact of Stranger Things, which it said created more than 8,000 production jobs during its five seasons. Netflix added that more than 3,800 vendors from almost every US state contributed to the production.
In Colombia, the company referenced Frontera Verde, a thriller filmed in the Amazon region. Netflix said members of the local community participated in the production process, working as actors, assistants and crew members. According to the company, 30 members of the 150-person crew came from the Amazonian community where filming took place.
Netflix also cited activity in Strängnäs, a town outside Stockholm, where several European versions of Love is Blind have been filmed. The company said the productions supported local hotels, restaurants, transport operators and production workers over several weeks each year.
The report also examined the cultural influence of Netflix productions. The company said KPop Demon Hunters became its most-watched original film and contributed to increased interest in Korean culture. Netflix noted that the song “Golden” became the first K-pop track to win a Grammy, while the film also received two Academy Awards. The company added that language learning platform Duolingo
recorded a 22 per cent increase in Americans studying Korean after the film’s release, while bookings to South Korea rose by 25 per cent.
Netflix said its productions have influenced consumer behaviour in areas including music, fashion, books, sports and tourism.
The company also announced continued investment in production facilities, training programmes and cinema restoration projects. According to Netflix, its training initiatives have reached more than 90,000 people in over 75 countries.
The report concluded with Netflix stating that it plans to continue investing in creators, communities and audiences as the entertainment industry continues to change.
