Netflix grows Asian content slate

Netflix has unveiled 17 new Asian original productions, namely from Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, India and South Korea, during its recent content showcase called “See What’s Next: Asia". As Netflix aims to increase its investment in Asian storytellers, these projects will join an estimated 100 new and returning originals across eight countries in Asia through 2019.In addition to these new Asian originals, Netflix looks to grow the content slate in India as Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and chief content officer Ted Sarandos joined performers and creators from India to announce eight more original films and a new original series. In India, Netflix series called Sacred Games previously faced a complaint from political party Indian National Congress (INC) over “offensive scenes” which references former India Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.“Asia is home to the world's great creative centers producing some of the most compelling films and series of today,” Sarandos said, adding that more than half of Asian content hours viewed on Netflix this year are viewed outside the region. "So we have confidence that our upcoming slate of Asian productions will find fans in their home countries and abroad," he added.Most recently, Netflix planned to take on approximately US$2 billion in new debt by offering unsecured bank notes. The streaming platform looks to use the net proceeds from this offering for content acquisitions, production and development, as well as capital expenditures. This may further include investments, working capital and potential acquisitions and strategic transactions