iQiyi and Netflix have signed a content licensing agreement for a subset of Netflix original series like Stranger Things and Black Mirror. Netflix says expectations of its deal are modest in scope, however, customers will be able to access these series on the Chinese online video platform iQiyi. Netflix's partnership with iQiyi is subject to the relevant regulations on online streaming of imported drama and film content in China.
The agreement will enable Netflix to expand its content distribution into China and build awareness of the Netflix brand and Netflix content on the local market, writes The Hollywood reporter, citing Robert Roy, Netflix's VP of content acquisition. Netflix declined to provide additional details of the deal. As to its full entry into China, Roy added: "We'd love to have direct relationship in China, and it's just a matter of when and how, and that's something that we're trying to figure out over time".
Strict protectionism by Chinese regulators have impeded Netflix and Amazon from entering the Chinese content market. The Asian country is among the handful of countries where the two US streaming companies are not yet present. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings recently said that a full China launch was unlikely in the near term, and that the company would focus on licensing for now.
