Netflix unveils host of international projects

A French version of Love Is Blind, an expansion of strength competition Physical 100 and a drama with Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan were among the projects unveiled by Netflix today at it’s first International Showcase.  

ITV Studios will produce the French instalment of Netflix’s franchise Love is Blind. The dating format originated in the US from Kinetic Content, and has so far been adapted in Sweden, Germany, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, the UAE and the UK, the latter version of which is produced by CPL. An Italian edition was announced last month. 

As well as Love is Blind: France, Netflix revealed that its hit Korean competition show Physical 100 has been renewed for a third series, which will feature contestants from across Asia for the first time. Physical 100 was the first non-English language unscripted show to hit the top spot on Netflix’s global top 10. 

Minyoung Kim, vice president of content for APAC at Netflix, highlighted the success of Korean content on the SVoD, revealing that “over 80% of Netflix members around the world watch K-content.” 

Netflix is also working with Bollywood heavyweight Shah Rukh Khan’s outfit Red Chillies Entertainment on untitled Bollywood project that will mark the debut project from his son Aryan Khan, who will write and direct the series. The show is billed as an “unabashed, entertaining ride through the adventures of a charming, ambitious outsider navigating the glitzy yet tricky world of Bollywood”. 

The titles join previously announced series Alcaraz (Spain), El Refugio Atómico (Spain), All the Love You Wish For (Korea), Celda 211 (Mexico), The Gringo Hunters (Mexico), Last Samurai Standing (Japan), El Eternauta (Argentina), Atrapados (Argentina), The Leopard (Italy), Senna (Brazil) and One Hundred Years of Solitude (Colombia).  

Japanese feature film Bullet Train Explosion was also announced, and joins a line up of movies that include Los dos Hemisforios de Lucca (Mexico), In Fantasma en la Batalla (Spain), Revelations (Korea) and Vni Jr (Brazil). 

The slate was unveiled by Bel Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, who also offered first looks and images of several of the aforementioned series. She was joined at the showcase by the content heads of LATAM, India, EMEA and APAC.  

The slate was indicative of the SVoD’s commitment to commissioning local language programming and forging partnerships with more than 1,000 producers from more 50 countries, Bajaria said.  

She added: ““People like the authenticity of local stories…When you try to make something that appeals to everyone, you just end up making something that appeals to no one.” 

She also hailed the uptick in the amount of programming on Netflix being watched with subtitles or dubbed. 

“Today more than 70% of all viewing on Netflix is either with subs or dubs,” she said. “That’s not just great for audiences — it’s great for creators, too. Because it means their stories can have an even bigger impact in the world.” 

Through the showcase, Bajaria highlighted the streamer’s partnerships with local talent, its commitment to local storytelling and her belief that “great stories can come from anywhere”. 

She added: “Hopefully you can see the scope and ambition of what we’re doing around the world, and why we think these titles will be the next fan favorites.”