Show summary Hide summary
Major streaming services are shifting their buying patterns toward foreign-language shows and films, new research from Ampere Analysis finds. As of September, non‑English titles made up about 65% of Netflix’s acquisitions and roughly half of Disney+’s.
A clear change in what platforms are buying
For years, industry observers assumed U.S.-centric content dominated global streaming deals. The Ampere data suggests that assumption no longer fits the market: international-language acquisitions now account for at least half of purchased catalogues at both platforms.
Mid-stage trial shows Eli Lilly combo delivers bigger weight loss, company says
Russell Brand attorney asks watchdog to review his conduct after attacking reporter who exposed him
The trend reflects broader licensing activity from several global players. Ampere notes that services such as Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max and Disney+ have expanded licensing of non‑English titles across multiple territories in recent years.
Which countries are supplying the content
Netflix’s recent purchases lean heavily on titles from Japan and South Korea, according to the analysis. Disney+ shows a different mix, with German and Japanese programmes among its most acquired non‑English items.
Where the biggest opportunities remain
Ampere highlights four markets as particularly promising for international licensing: Japanese, South Korean, French and Turkish content. The research identifies this group because demand is strong while cross‑border availability remains relatively limited.
Only about 40% of Japanese streaming content is available worldwide, the report finds. Among the buyers for titles that do reach international markets, the United States and South Korea are the largest purchasers, with France and Germany also showing notable interest.
For South Korea, Ampere estimates that roughly 45% of the country’s titles remain confined to domestic platforms. The report suggests the Middle East and Southeast Asia are the regions most likely to acquire Korea’s romance‑oriented films and series.
What this means for rights holders and platforms
“Non‑English content remains underexploited despite growing global demand,” said Tingting Li, Research Manager at Ampere. “Japanese, South Korean, French and Turkish content present the top opportunities for international licensing, with strong audience appeal but still gaps in cross‑border availability. For content owners and platforms, buying this content can bridge the gap between audience demand and international distribution.”
