Netflix buying spree in Italy, Portugal
October 15, 2015
From Branislav Pekic in Rome
Ahead of its imminent launch in Italy (September 22nd) and Portugal (September 21st), the Netflix video streaming platform has started acquiring local content.
In Italy, Netflix has so far signed distribution deals with Telecom Italia (TIMvision) and Vodafone Italia and announced an agreement for the production of its first original Italian TV series, “Suburra”, in collaboration with Cattleya and public broadcaster RAI.
According to Italian daily La Repubblica, Netflix is paying up to €3 million to RAI for the TV rights (cable and Internet) to a package of 18 Italian movies produced or distributed by the Italian pubcaster.
However, Netflix has not managed to close a deal for RAI’s most successful product, cult detective series Inspector Montalbano, which has been distributed globally, including in the UK where it was aired on BBC Four.
Separately, Netflix has re-acquired the rights for Orange is the New Black from Mediaset, reports Il Sole 24 Ore. The hit TV series is an original Netflix production, but the VoD platform had granted the exclusive Italian distribution rights to the commercial broadcaster.
In Portugal, Netflix is closing distribution deals with national commercial broadcasters SIC and TVI to include their original TV productions in the VoD offer, according to daily Correio de Manha. However, no negotiations seem to be underway with public broadcaster RTP.