Netflix Originals Availability: Region Restrictions and Licensing Agreements
Not all Netflix Originals are available in all regions that have Netflix. This article explores the reasons behind regional availability restrictions, differentiating between acquisition, co-production, and original content, and the role of licensing agreements.
Acquisition vs. Original Content
It depends on the nature of the content. Sometimes something marketed as a Netflix Original is actually a program Netflix acquired or co-produced with a foreign network or studio. For instance, Better Call Saul, Black Lightning, and Orphan Black are listed as Netflix Originals in some countries, while Happy Valley, originally made for BBC Two, is called a Netflix Original in the US. Similarly, Uncut Gems is a global Netflix Original with the exception of the US, where it was bought from a foreign studio.
Licensing Agreements and Global Availability
Regional availability can be limited by the licensing agreement terms. Netflix owns the rights to many shows, not just the ones it produces, which enables them to show content almost everywhere. However, some shows are only available in certain regions due to licensing restrictions. For example, Riverdale can be considered a Netflix Original in countries such as Canada, but it is produced by the CW network, not Netflix. While Canadian users get new episodes as soon as they air, US users have to wait for the entire season to be available on Netflix once it has finished airing on cable TV.
Global Accessibility and Regional Variations
Although Netflix is now available in over 190 countries, the selection of titles available varies significantly. Depending on the region, less than 40% of Netflix's 13,500 titles are included in the US catalog, which is the smallest selection in any country.
Conclusion
Netflix's global presence is impressive, but the availability of Netflix Originals depends on the type of content and regional licensing agreements. Understanding these differences can help users anticipate what they might find when they log in from a different region.