Netflix plans content spend up to $8bn for 2018

Netflix has announced plans to spend up to $8bn on content in 2018, up from $6bn for this year.

Author: Nick Goundry

Published: 17 Oct 2017

Bright

Netflix has announced plans to spend up to $8bn on content in 2018, an increase on the $6bn figure mooted for this year.

The streaming giant wants to release around 80 original films next year, although it’s not yet clear what the balance is planned to be between original productions and licensed content.

Share this news feature

“They range anywhere from the million-dollar Sundance hit, all the way up to something on a much larger scale,” said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix, in comments to investors earlier this week.

Netflix turned industry heads early last year by investing more than $90m in Bright (pictured), a fantasy crime drama from Suicide Squad director David Ayer that stars Will Smith.

The high-profile project shot on location in California, an unusual move for a big-budget feature given that the state’s filming incentive programme prioritises television.

Netflix’s third-quarter revenue for 2017 reached $2.99bn – a 30% increase on the same period last year – with 5.3 million new subscribers worldwide.

The company’s deep financial resources means it has more freedom than some of the established Hollywood studios to shoot in places where filming incentive support is not necessarily as generous. Indeed, earlier this year Sarandos revealed plans to escalate production in California.

Netflix also recently made a CA$500m commitment to invest in content in Canada, the first business move of its type that the company has made outside the US.

Image: Netflix

Latest news & features

Promote your services with KFTV

Choose from three profile types - Basic, Silver and Gold

Create Profile

We offer a range of display advertising opportunities. Click below to find out more.

Advertise With Us