Netflix is planning to produce more original shows from Africa in 2019

In 2018 alone, Netflix has shown its interest in African content with the acquisition of Akin Omotosho’s award-winning South African drama Vaya and Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart. We know the streaming giant has the spending wallet and capacity which it has shelled out in making in-house original shows and external commissioning, making the service peerlessly the dominant player in the streaming landscape.

Per Variety, Netflix plans to expand its content library with some original shows from Africa next year. The news is somewhat exciting, given that Netflix just recently cancelled its Marvel show Daredevil in its third season, as well as Luke Cage and Iron Fist before. While these shows are speculatively going to head over to Disney’s upcoming streaming service, this will give Netflix the chance to restrategise as it shops for content. “The big message we want to communicate to talent is that you don’t have to leave home to get big audiences, and you don’t have to choose Hollywood versus your own country,” Netflix’s vice president of international originals, Erik Barmark said at the Content London conference this week

“You can do both, and that, we believe, will able to carry their audiences to their shows regardless of the language they are speaking or where the production comes from. Netflix wants to expand its showcase and is in the process of looking at opportunities in Africa,” he said further.

Netflix’s latest move to commission African original shows will make African filmmakers to pitch TV and film projects for possible consideration. And we can’t wait to see the slate of original African programming that will be available on the platform next year.

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