Netflix tipped for Italian, Spanish launches this year

Netflix is set to launch in Italy later this year, according to DTVE sister title TBI’s sources, while a local report is claiming a Spanish debut will come around the same time.

The streaming service has committed to launching its platform globally within the next two years, and Iberia and Italy look set to make up a new round of debuts.

Distribution sources have told TBI of programming discussions coming ahead of an Italian launch in the second half of this year.

There have been conflicting reports over Netflix’s plans for the territory, which struggles in some regions from poor broadband infrastructure and is understood to have been a key factor in on-going hold ups.

Separately, Spanish financial daily Expansión reported various sources saying Netflix is negotiating with the Hollywood studios and indie distributors of rights ahead of a launch in Q4 of 2015.

The paper also reported TV manufacturer LG would begin carrying Netflix in Spain in September – a month one Italian source also pointed to.

According to Expansión, Netflix has been forced to bring forward its plans for a launch in Spain because of the progress made by Telefónica’s Movistar TV and OTT service Wuaki.tv. The paper said Netflix had recently conducted a study in Spain to identify the tastes and preferences of local consumers.

A Netflix spokesman declined to comment, saying there was nothing to add to the recent announcement of the global roll out.

Netflix is already available across Europe in the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg, as well in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Netflix has previously played down stories linking it to further European launches this year.

In further Netflix news, the company has ordered a drama series from Brad Pitt’s production firm, Plan B Entertainment, and Anonymous Content to launch in 2016.

The OA will be a mystery series running to eight parts starring Brit Marling, who will write and produce the project along with Zal Batmangli.

Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner exec for Plan B, with Anonymous Content partner Michael Sugar doing the same.