Netflix doubled its spending in the UK this year to $ 1 billion (£ 750 million) after successful UK-produced shows like The Crown, The Witcher and Sex Education.
Netflix’s global TV boss Bela Bajaria hinted at plans to continue investing heavily in UK content during a deadline Q&A last month. Now the streaming giant has confirmed that it has increased its budget by 100% from last year’s $ 500 million.
A Netflix spokesperson said: “The UK is an incredibly important market for Netflix and we are proud to increase our investment in the UK creative industry.
“The Crown, Sex Education and The Witcher are among the shows that have been done in the UK this year and seen by the world. And these shows are a testament to the depth of talent that exists here. “
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“We will continue to invest in the best content in all genres and be fully committed to supporting British production and creative talent for years to come.”
The UK is undoubtedly Netflix’s largest market outside of the US. The company has built strong relationships with the independent production community in the UK, sourcing drama (The Crown by Left Bank Pictures), entertainment (Talkbacks Too Hot To Handle) and facts (Knickerbockerglorys American Murder: The Family Next Door).
The streamer also closes exclusive deals with British creatives. The streamer signed a general contract with The Crown’s creator Peter Morgan last year and invested in new Black Mirror developers Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones’ new production outfit Broke And Bones in July to create a unique contract for the streamer to be completed in the UK.
And just last month, Netflix secured the services of another creative from The Crown, who had partnered Suzanne Mackie’s new production company Orchid Pictures on an exclusive deal. Mackie is set to create new movies and TV series for Netflix after working at Left Bank Pictures for nearly 12 years.
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