The Absence of Netflix in Mainland China
-I want to work in the Film approval department (Yin, 2023)
The catchphrase “Netflix and Chill” may sound universal, however, it really depends on which region you are based in. There are still some regions that have limited access, or none at all, like my homeland, Mainland China. To see content on Netflix in China, people need to put in more effort and sometimes even a bit of creativity.
Netflix’s Library
Netflix’s content library is not uniform worldwide, according to Surfshark, Canada has the biggest movie catalogue with 4,043 films, a movie available in Canada might not be on Netflix in Europe.
Netflix was my go-to source of entertainment during my high school and university years in Canada. In case you do not know: even if you download episodes on your devices to watch offline, they are still region-restricted. I learned this the hard way when I could not finish my downloaded episodes on a flight and tried to resume it after landing in China.
Why not?
Netflix’s absence in China can partly be explained by the dominance of local streaming platforms like iQIYI, Tencent Video, and Youku. These platforms are highly efficient at matching consumer preferences with content production, creating a relatively balanced and saturated media market.
Their operating model could be seen as the ideal of a neoclassical economy, by offering a mix of locally produced and internationally licensed content, these platforms ensure that most mainstream audience needs are met. Global hits like Stranger Things and Friends are also available on Chinese local platforms, which maximizes audience satisfaction while reinforcing the market power of locals, and leaves little room for Netflix to enter the market.
The political landscape also plays a role. This could be seen as a protection mechanism for local culture and media, further ensuring control over mainstream ideology, which is also known as Chinese strict censorship, “过审” (content approval). Media must align approved guidelines with government-approved cultural and political values.
Little Story about Censorship
Last summer, I was an intern at the Provincial Television Broadcasting Station. I came across this sign that said “Film content approval section.” I took a photo and posted it on Weibo, saying it was a very desirable place.
Chinese censorship is highly restricted in sexual scenes, violence, languages etc., the department would make decisions about cutting scenes or photoshopping effects. People call the Chinese version “阉割版”(castrated version) or “删减版” (abridgment). These decisions sometimes could be annoying, like ruining the film’s aesthetic. The most seamless one I could remember is the nude scene in Oppenheimer where the Chinese version photoshopped a black dress on the actress.
Chinese Version Arcane
Here is an example of a censored clip of Arcane‘s recent release. More specifically, the scene containing lesbian representation was deleted by erasing one of the characters from the screen entirely, to avoid showing any LGBTQ+ content.
How?
Consequently, this restrictive environment leads to pushing audiences who seek unaltered global content toward informal methods.
- VPNs: Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are the common solution for limited access. A VPN allows users to hide their IP address and appear as another country that the user is trying to access. This VPN is my all-time favourite because of its self-checkout feature, different plans for various needs, and most importantly, stable connection.
- Reselling Netflix Accounts: On platforms like Taobao, a sub-economy has emerged where Netflix accounts are sold cheaper than the cost of an individual subscription. This practice highlights how exclusionary systems can give rise to gray markets. Netflix’s absence in China has created opportunities for individuals to profit by offering services that bypass restrictions and provide access to global content.
- 搬运 (Content reuploading): The term “搬运,” which roughly translates to “moving” or “reposting,” is a phenomenon in China’s media. Contents from platforms like Netflix and YouTube are downloaded, subtitled, and reuploaded to Chinese platforms, often for free.
These methods reflect the demand for diverse media and the creativity of viewers determined to access them. People navigate the gaps in the system, and there will always be a way.