Disney+ & Netflix Hoover Up Non-English Acquisitions As Fervor For Japanese & Korean Content Continues – Ampere
Non-English-language titles made up at least half of acquisitions by Netflix and Disney+ by September, challenging the idea that global streamers are overlooking them. Ampere Analysis says Japanese, South Korean, French and Turkish content offer strong opportunities for international licensing because demand is high while availability across borders remains limited.
Non-English titles accounted for 65% of Netflix’s acquisitions and 50% of Disney+’s. Japan and South Korea led Netflix’s source markets, while German and Japanese content topped Disney+’s list. Only 40% of Japanese streaming content is available worldwide, and just 45% of South Korean titles are available beyond domestic streaming services; Ampere points to the Middle East and Southeast Asia as likely markets for South Korean romantic films and series.
In short
- Non-English titles made up 65% of Netflix acquisitions.
- They accounted for half of Disney+ acquisitions.
- Japanese and Korean content remain underdistributed internationally.
Explained simply
Netflix and Disney+ are subscription streaming services that buy programmes and films from producers around the world, alongside titles they make themselves. Acquiring a title gives a service the right to show it in agreed markets and for an agreed period; those rights can vary from country to country.
Japanese and South Korean dramas, films and animation have attracted viewers beyond their home markets, while French, Turkish and German productions also travel internationally. A title’s popularity does not mean it is available everywhere: licensing deals and existing distribution rights can limit where it can be watched.
For streaming services, buying programmes from abroad can help broaden their catalogues and reach viewers with different interests. For producers, international licensing can bring their work to audiences in markets where it has not previously been shown.