Netflix’s global march may have its next destination.
The subscription streaming video company plans to launch in Russia this month, according to a report in newspaper Izvestia.
Netflix kicked off 2015 with a commitment to broaden its reach to 200 countries by the end of 2016, essentially fashioning itself as the first global Internet television provider. Last year it widened its reach to places like Spain, Italy, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and it has already disclosed plans to roll out in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore early this year.
Russia would be a meaningful move in Netflix’s global ambitions. With the streaming service having already rolled out in Brazil more than four years ago, Russia would be its next step in reaching the so-called BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) that boast large populations in newly advanced economies.
An automated English-language translation of the report indicated Netflix would be available in Russia on Internet-connected TVs and set-top boxes this month, citing an LG Electronics manager in the country.
Netflix declined to comment on the report to TheWrap, other than to reiterate its plan to largely complete a global expansion by the end of this year.