Netflix is the first streamer to join the Motion Picture Association of America, Hollywood’s most devoted advocate for major film studios in Washington, the MPAA announced on Tuesday afternoon.
“On behalf of the MPAA and its member companies, I am delighted to welcome Netflix as a partner,” MPAA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin said in a statement. “All of our members are committed to pushing the film and television industry forward, in both how we tell stories and how we reach audiences. Adding Netflix will allow us to even more effectively advocate for the global community of creative storytellers, and I look forward to seeing what we can all achieve together.”
“Joining the Motion Picture Association further exemplifies our commitment to ensuring the vibrancy of these creative industries and the many talented people who work in them all over the world,” Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer, added. “We look forward to supporting the association team and their important efforts.”
The streaming giant has been already focusing more on producing its own content and has shown the willingness to relax its approach to theatrical releases, debuting “Roma,” “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” and “Bird Box” in select theaters before they streamed on the platform.
On Tuesday, Netflix took another big step by nabbing its first Oscar nomination for best picture for Alfonso Cuaron’s black and white love story to Mexico, “Roma.”
The news was first reported by Politico Pro.