Netflix Adds More Languages, Countries to Global Reach

LAS VEGAS: During Reed Hastings’s keynote at CES, the co-founder and CEO of Netflix unveiled that the service is now live in more than 190 countries and has added Arabic, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese to the 17 languages it already supports.

“Today you are witnessing the birth of a new global internet TV network,” said Hastings. “With this launch, consumers around the world—from Singapore to St. Petersburg, from San Francisco to São Paulo—will be able to enjoy TV shows and movies simultaneously—no more waiting. With the help of the Internet, we are putting power in consumers’ hands to watch whenever, wherever and on whatever device.”

In 2016, the company plans to release 31 new and returning original series, two dozen original feature films and documentaries, a wide range of stand-up comedy specials and 30 original kids’ series—available at the same time to members everywhere.

“From today onwards, we will listen and we will learn, gradually adding more languages, more content and more ways for people to engage with Netflix,” said Hastings. “We’re looking forward to bringing great stories from all over the world to people all over the world.”

Netflix will not yet be available in China, though the company continues to explore options for providing the service. It also won’t be available in Crimea, North Korea and Syria, due to U.S. government restrictions on American companies.