David Farnor | On 01, Mar 2017

Netflix has invested around £1.5 billion in European content in the last five years.

The streaming giant has increasingly diversified its exclusive and original titles to match it growing international footprint. While this month sees the premiere of Ingobernable, Netflix’s first Mexican original series, though, the company has also been active on the continent, spending $1.75 billion on European licencing and co-productions since 2017.

CEO Reed Hastings revealed the amount at a press event today in Berlin, where he also unveiled the trailer for its fist German original series. Titled Dark, the show follows the disappearance of two young children in a small town, with Baran Bo Odar (Who Am I?) at the helm.

The project is just one of more than 90 original TV shows and films in various stages of development across Europe. The growing line-up of European co-productions including Marcella (ITV), Kiss Me First (Channel 4), Watership Down (BBC), La catedral del mar (Antena 3), Rita (TV2 Denmark) and El ministerio del tiempo (RTVE), as well as licensed series, including The Break (RTBF), Nobel (NRK), Cannabis (Arte), Bordertown (YLE), No Second Chance (TF1), Call My Agent! (France 2), Case (RUV), Beau Sejour (VRT) and The Same Sky (ZDF), among others.

“We are one of the most active supporters and financers of European content,” Hastings commented.

The audience is not just restricted to the continent, though, with Hastings revealing that its European titles are watched by 93 million subscribers around the world – with two thirds of that audience coming from outside of Europe.

“We’re creating these global audiences for great local productions,” he said.

“Great storytelling knows no geographic bounds. After four years of original programming and filming in 18 countries, we know compelling stories can come from anywhere and no matter their origin, can resonate with audiences around the world,” commented Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer.

Netflix is also working to make its service more accessible for European viewers, increasingly the number of languages they support to 15 by adding Romanian and Greek later in 2017.

It is also aiming to integrate with more set top boxes across the continent, with a new deal with Unitymedia in Germany paving the way.

Hastings also unveiled a first look at Italian original crime thriller series Suburra, starring Claudia Gerini, Alessandro Borghi, Filippo Nigro, Francesco Acquaroli, Giacomo Ferrara and Eduardo Valdarini and directed by Michele Placido.

British talent remains a focus for Netflix too, with director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara on their wishlist for another collaboration, after their short film, The White Helmets, won Netflix its first ever Oscar last weekend.

“[They] are very happy for us to continue to work with them to produce more and more content,” confirmed Hastings.

For more on what’s coming soon to Netflix this month, including a new Finnish TV series, click here.

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