Earlier this week, it was announced that Netflix will be spending at least $500 million over the course of 5 years in an effort to create original Canadian content. Content will be in both official languages of Canada; English and French. This approach is essentially an alternative to charging sales taxes to Canadians for their Netflix subscriptions.
In a statement, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said: “Today’s announcement affirms there’s more to come as Netflix launches Netflix Canada, our permanent production presence in Canada”.
Netflix has already been involved in Canadian television. Netflix and CBC teamed up for the production of Anne (based on the novel Anne of Green Gables), they co-produced Travelers which was filmed in Vancouver with Will and Grace star and Canadian Eric McCormack. They also brought back Trailer Park Boys for a couple of seasons, which was filmed in Nova Scotia. It will be interesting to see the type of content that is to come.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Canadian talent, producers, broadcasters and other local partners to create Netflix originals in Canada for many years to come” Sarandos also said in a statement.