Why Netflix Is Betting Big on Latin America | The Circuit

With the streaming wars hotter than ever, Netflix is doubling down on its global ambitions. It’s a strategy that’s already reshaping the entertainment world, with series like Squid Game and Narcos becoming smash hits far beyond their countries of origin. In an era when entertainment companies are scrambling for dwindling revenues and attention, the future of the industry could depend on reaching a truly worldwide audience. The question is, can Netflix do it, and stay the king of streaming? Emily Chang travels to Colombia to visit one of Netflix’s most ambitious productions ever in Latin America, and gets a closer look at its global strategy with Vice President of Latin America Francisco Ramos and Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria. With new series on the way such as One Hundred Years of Solitude (Colombia), Senna (Brazil), El Eternauta (Argentina), and Pedro Páramo (Mexico), Netflix's ambitions are setting up for a bold new future in Latin America - and beyond.
--------
Like this video? Subscribe: kzbin.info?sub_...
Get unlimited access to Bloomberg.com for $1.99/month for the first 3 months: www.bloomberg.com/subscriptio...
Bloomberg Originals offers bold takes for curious minds on today’s biggest topics. Hosted by experts covering stories you haven’t seen and viewpoints you haven’t heard, you’ll discover cinematic, data-led shows that investigate the intersection of business and culture. Exploring every angle of climate change, technology, finance, sports and beyond, Bloomberg Originals is business as you’ve never seen it.
Subscribe for business news, but not as you've known it: exclusive interviews, fascinating profiles, data-driven analysis, and the latest in tech innovation from around the world.
Visit our partner channel Bloomberg Quicktake for global news and insight in an instant.

[@emilychangtv]

This was such an epic adventure! I’m so grateful to the people we met from Colombia to Mexico, and in awe of the talent on the set of 100 Years of Solitude. Are you excited to watch the real thing? I’d love to hear your thoughts on Netflix’s strategy to win Latin America.

[@nicksideris2600]

so amazingly smart and sexy! harvard's very best

[@petepotr4078]

Netflix is being smart and bold!

[@suvivares]

Great great job!!

[@aaronlazaro7226]

One Hundred Years of Solitude is one of my favourite novels and I look forward to watching the TV adaptation which Netflix had clearly done an excellent job in making as faithful as possible to the original source material.

[@JAndrade389]

Finally a Colombian story that has nothing to do with the Narcos BS that does not represent the majority of Colombians and causes so much harm to our country’s reputation and image

[@josephj1973]

To be fair, many people will always associate Columbia with narcos, drugs, and violence. Sorry that's just the way it is.

[@agme8045]

I mean, it is a big part of Colombia. Just like it’s also a big part of Mexico. Or how mafia was (and still kinda) is a big part of Italy. Just because you don’t like foreigners having that image of Colombia, it doesn’t mean it’s fake or any less real.

[@JAndrade389]

⁠​⁠@@agme8045did I say it was not a big part of Colombia? Did I say it was fake? It has nothing to do with me liking it or not, I think most people get my point but let me explain to you…Of course it is a big part of our history….what I’m trying to say is there is thousands of stories that are also part of our culture and history such as this one, at one time “One Hundred Years of Solitude” was the book that sold the most copies ever after the Bible, but foreign media always focuses on feeding the world ONE single story about Colombia, that of drugs and violence over and over as if there is nothing else to tell there and that does that not represent most Colombians, I find it great that other stories that do not glorify criminals and genocidal maniacs that caused so much harm to our society and people are finally being told

[@ericktellez7632]

@@agme8045The problem is that you are ignoring why it happened, it involves the United States in the entire region they are the biggest consumers and the ones funding them in the 80s during the cold war but no one mentions that, the US doesn’t get smeared despite the CIA using Colombia to fight communism and then using Mexico to do the same, those weapons came directly from America and they dont get represented constantly in the media the same way Colombia does.

[@DueceSpice]

@@agme8045NOPE DRUGS ARE A BIG PART OF AMERICA CULTURE..

[@Atlasdearles_8888]

I was considering quit Netflix, but now I will wait to watch all those productions. As a Colombian, I have to recognize that they are making a huge effort.

[@mlaudisa]

Great story, music, visuals, and interesting interviews. We have spent extended time visiting Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and I'm so glad S.A. gets to be highlighted in a positive way because there is so much richness and warmth in their history, art, architecture, and tradition.

[@ramlozz8368]

Another factor they missed to mention is that the Hispanic/ latino, community in the United States keeps growing, is already at 40% in California

[@ericktellez7632]

It used to be 100% not too long ago wonder what happened 🗿

[@maryfranceschiloenoble4728]

The town looks like Disney Encanto . And it's true it's in Colombia 😊

[@jairunet]

Excellent idea, I agree with the locals here, Latin America has so much talent, they just need to be guided the correct way, they are humble and hard workers when the motivation is there. I can't wait for the next round of specials, football, baseball, women's beauty, nature, farming, and more and more, everybody wins, keep it up Netflix, I may join in some way or another in the short future.

[@richelletvforyou8324]

Why can't they wait to show these like a day before the production releases...now I have to wait😭

[@amilton1015]

Congrats Emily...for you is the best marketing for Netflix! I hope they (Netflix) think the same.

[@MsCatwoman13]

Amazing work you're doing @emilychangtv! So proud of you. Colombia and Mexico run deep through our families veins. Can't wait to see how Gabriel García Márquez novel comes to life.

[@obando83]

Thank you Emily and Bloomberg, this will make us Colombians very proud.

[@xiomaramatarritavasquez5020]

I'm impressed, I already want the series start

[@jamescifuentes8403]

Thank you Netflix. Great journalism! And Colombia!!!

[@MrSantiagotri]

I’m glad they’re finally showing the magic of this wonderful country, and not that bs from Narcos

[@benjaminsaravia]

Because 100 años de soledad is awesome!

[@liothomasart]

Goddamn the color grading in this episode is so good! Lord Emily! Where am I?

[@darwinmolina8531]

this was amazing. thank you

[@joseville]

11:00 wow, that set is incredible!

[@luiscader]

Excellent Show! I love the circuit always showing different perspectives of the world 👌🏻

[@ca8rio8ca]

Waiting for Senna! 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@Ollerismo]

I hope they do not destroy the set after they are done. It would be a tragedy.

[@michomapeter7522]

I love what you are doing Emily chang ,great journalism ,i love the circuit

[@ariavachier-lagravech.6910]

I need Netflix documentary about Dragon Ball and Mexican Cartels

[@Booz2010]

Sinaloan Cartels : Ayy Amigo,hold our TEQUILAs 🥃

[@user-yv4gg7jb2f]

Making of Dragon Ball would really be mad

[@vhol93]

Great video! !

[@nicholasleclerc1583]

3:29 "...So that they become global hits & crank out more global hits later on" X D

[@special-t-419onurbandictio9]

nice stuff as usual emily just put out more, more often

[@bhaskarvishwajeet226]

Very interested in seeing what LATAM churns out. They’ve got amazing stories to tell

[@tony_mac]

Emily’s astonishingly great

[@summervibes9931]

19:45 ouuuf rough pause

[@MrArbl1234]

Bravo 👏🏼

[@senti2175]

Whos the actress on the thumbnail on right?

[@hagodi]

Brilliant!

[@imaginerofx]

Tremenda producción 😮😊

[@Ollerismo]

Bogotá has a tilde.

[@brandondiaz9657]

Another interesting fact about Netflix in Latin America is that they exclusively sold that region a disc that could be inserted into PS2 consoles.

[@agme8045]

They are mostly Mexicans, Central Americans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, etc. South America (which does not include any of those countries) is where most of these productions are taking place. Half of South America is literally just Brazil. So I get what you mean, but I don’t actually think it’s as big as a factor as you (or Americans in general) would imagine.

[@joseville]

Wait, so Netflix on a PS2?

[@tetrakoop]

emily chang is the G.O.A.T.

[@ivandansigmun3891]

Netflix Ad

[@jd-teilur]

🇨🇴❤

[@ualrdyknowaitiz]

bloomberg is churning out so much content

[@pablob3128]

We in The Argentine Republic use to be The Great Nation of Argentina The Land of plenty and opportunity but from the last 70 years we've fallen in the category of " the Latin american countries" , that's what 100 years of corruption, socialism did to once a Nation with a Great destiny now turned to ashes.

[@phdonpigs]

This anchor woman is gorgeous!

[@rarevidz100]

Say whatever you want to say, but netflix really brings the global storytelling only restricted to yt people

[@nottera]

I love how in 4:56 the lady starts dry and in 5:13 she is dripping wet. That is representative of South America 💖💖

[@joseville]

When is 100 Years of Solitude chilling out!!!???

[@harsha2993]

Looks like Bloomberg Billionaire Politician is watching a new TV show.

[@toddferguson7626]

Bloomberg, you spelled "South Korea" wrong...

[@funkmachine9094]

it's south america not "latin america"

[@OpenBookmarksCo.]

easy to say it's 4 hours in a second, that's far 🚗

[@sergiosantiagojalao4071]

Just call it America.

[@olafvonbraun7300]

Can we just pause and acknowledge the beautiful camera shots of Colombia and the whole editing is simply bellissimo. On another note- go Netflix. Colombia, Ukraine, Poland… be different, be vibrant,

[@JimmothySmantanseleton]

Americans. If you ever go to Medellin, go to Fase Dose! You’re welcome.

[@Booz2010]

Do I get to take a Colombiana whose physical attributes shared resemblance with Sophia Vergara there❓

[@Gat0Bodeguer0]

Because most Latin Americans only can afford one streaming service and Netflix is the most popular one over here. Patadas de ahogado.

[@Booz2010]

Move to BRASIL👀 Sao Paulo or Floripa💯

[@calesticall128]

America to the list latin? Anymore or Anybody..

[@SimonZimmermann82]

Can't wait for Sora where I can prompt for movies and series the way I like it. Netflix produces mediocre content

[@Cadmus9501]

Netflix only chases short lived trends, they never commit. How many mini series do they have? How many one season shows do they have? Need I go on?

[@02nupe]

Can you provide a steaming service that doesn’t chase short lived trends?

[@danieltom3861]

It's call business, they won't continue production is it's not getting enough views(trending)

[@kingdavid135]

Sponsored content much

[@mtljin]

netflix should bet on Asia.

[@donviajero2580]

They are. I don't live in Asia and there is an incredible amount of Asian content on Netflix even in my region. A week doesn't go by in which you don't have 3, 4, or 5 Asian shows debuting on Netflix. And its not all just Korean content.

[@ReyZar666]

how are u going to make profit out of the third world country in this economy? a lot of ppl from latin america tend to pirate thing,.. you know, coz they can afford the product,..

[@ericktellez7632]

They make a profit through advertisements, the companies are the ones paying all the people have to give is their eyes watching the show.

[@paulgilliland2992]

Narcos is still one the best ever.

[@felixvelo]

Don't sit in front of a TV screen, use that precious time to help your community and enjoy life.

[@sugreev2001]

Even with the prestige attached with this project, it’s going to be near impossible to touch the massive success of Narcos: Colombia. Would love to see it succeed, but the Netflix is not the same it used to be. Now it strangles people’s creativity and stifles actual thought to promote decisive marxist lunacy. Look at what they did to the Witcher. All that hand wringing about it being “successful”, while completely butchering the setting and forcing anachronistic Africans and Indians in a fantasy setting that is supposed to be medieval Poland. Maybe Latin America will fare different, because Marc Randolph doesn’t care enough.

[@panama-canada]

Spanish is the most widely spoken language in the world. Look it up.

[@cboy0394]

It's actually Mandarin...

[@Betweoxwitegan]

​@@cboy0394 It's actually English...

[@cboy0394]

@@Betweoxwitegan No it's Mandarin

[@cboy0394]

@@Betweoxwitegan There's three ways to classify speakers L1 and L2 or total. Mandarin has the largest amount of L1 speakers in the world, while English has the largest amount of L2 speakers. If we're speaking about total speakers then you would be correct if we're speaking about L1 (first language speakers), then Mandarin beats English by 600 million people. If you look at the total then yes, English beats Mandarin by 300 million.

[@Betweoxwitegan]

@@cboy0394 You said "speakers" not 'natives' so therefore by your own produced data English has the most speakers, Mandarin would have the most natives or prevalence of fluency.

[@themyself1212]

I don't think latin America has chances to be like k dramas or Hollywood 😂😂😂

[@ericktellez7632]

K dramas are all soap operas

[@Carobranders]

Great column! 🫶 yellow butterflies though 👌