Netflix has released a new report titled The Netflix Effect, outlining the economic, cultural and social impact of its productions across different parts of the world over the last decade.
The report comes ten years after the company expanded from operating in about 60 countries to more than 190 countries in a single day. At the time, Netflix said it was “looking forward to bringing great stories from all over the world to people all over the world.”
According to the company, its strategy for global growth was built around local storytelling. Rather than relying only on productions from the United States, Netflix said it focused on creating films and series within different countries and communities.
In 2015, the streaming company produced its first original series outside the United States, Club de Cuervos, in Mexico. Since then, Netflix says it has produced content in more than 4,500 cities and towns across over 50 countries.
The company stated that every production contributes to local economies through jobs, business activities and tourism. It added that the impact often continues after filming has ended.
Netflix revealed that it has invested more than $135 billion in films and series over the past decade. According to the report, the spending contributed more than $325 billion to the global economy and supported over 425,000 jobs linked directly to productions.
The company said the figures only tell part of the story, adding that writers, directors, technicians, vendors and local communities play a major role in bringing productions to life.
In California, the four seasons of The Lincoln Lawyer reportedly contributed more than $425 million to the local economy. Netflix said the production employed over 4,300 cast and crew members and filmed in more than 50 locations across Los Angeles, including Dodger Stadium and Grand Central Market.
The company also highlighted the impact of Stranger Things. According to Netflix, the five seasons of the series created more than 8,000 production jobs. More than 200 stunt performers worked on the final season alone, while over 3,800 vendors across nearly every US state contributed to the production process.
Outside the United States, Netflix pointed to the Colombian series Frontera Verde, which was filmed in the Amazon region. Before filming began, a member of the local community, Walter Morales, reportedly led a blessing ritual for the crew.
Netflix said Morales’ family later worked on the production in several roles, including makeup assistants, production assistants and actors. The company added that 30 out of the 150 crew members came from the local Amazonian community.
In Sweden, the city of Strängnäs has become a filming location for seven European versions of Love Is Blind. According to Netflix, filming activities run for around 40 weeks each year, supporting local workers including lighting crews, set designers, caterers and drivers.
The report also examined the cultural influence of Netflix productions beyond television and film.
Netflix cited the example of KPop Demon Hunters, which the company described as its most-watched original film. According to the report, the film created interest beyond streaming audiences.
The song “Golden” from the film reportedly became the first K-pop track to win a Grammy Award, while the production also received two Academy Awards. Netflix added that language-learning platform Duolingo recorded a 22 per cent increase in Americans studying Korean after the film’s release. Flight bookings to South Korea also rose by 25 per cent during the same period.
The company said its productions have influenced consumer behaviour in several areas over the years. According to Netflix, shows and films have affected music charts, fashion trends, tourism, sports participation and product sales.
It noted that some productions have increased demand for items such as chess sets, costumes and home storage products, while older songs featured in series have returned to music charts.
Netflix also addressed changes within the entertainment industry. The company said it plans to continue investing in content production while other firms reduce spending.
According to the report, Netflix spends tens of billions of dollars on content every year and continues to expand its production facilities in countries including Spain and the United States.
The company added that its training programmes have reached more than 90,000 people in over 75 countries. These initiatives are aimed at supporting workers within the entertainment sector through skills development and industry access.
Netflix also said it has invested in restoring historic cinemas, including The Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles and Cinema Europa in Rome.
Looking ahead, the streaming company said it intends to continue investing in creators, production communities and audiences around the world.
“As we look ahead to the next decade, we’ll keep investing in the relationships we’ve built with the creators we work with, the communities we depend on and the fans who love to watch,” the company said.
Netflix added that the goal of the “Netflix Effect” is to show how entertainment can influence economies, industries and everyday life far beyond the screen.
