Netflix spent $135bn on content over past decade

Netflix has revealed it has spent $135bn (£99.7bn) on original films, TV series and licensed shows around the world over the past decade, in a new report documenting the streamer’s global economic impact.

The Netflix Effect, which was produced in-house, claims that its investments have delivered a $325bn (£242bn) boost to the global economy and created more than 425,000 jobs in over 50 countries.

The report details the streamer’s global operations, revealing it has produced originals in more than 50 countries and partnered with more than 2,000 production companies.

Netflix said its UK operations – its largest production hub outside the US – had helped to support over 50,000 jobs, with £30m spent on training and upskilling UK creatives since 2021.

Locally produced shows such as Bridgerton, Adolescence and Heartstopper have pushed the streamer’s local investment to over $6bn (£4.45bn) since 2020, it said.

The report’s publication comes as governments around the world look to impose content regulations and local spending requirements on global streamers such as Netflix.

Last week, Broadcast International revealed that nine out of the top 10 most-watched Netflix titles in Australia in 2025 were imported shows, for example, with local programming accounting for just 4% of watch time. Data was courtesy of UK-based Digital i.

In a blog accompanying the report, Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos talked up the streamer’s effect on the global production landscape.

“Over the last decade, Netflix shows and movies have consistently shaped what people read, buy, listen to, eat, wear and play,” he said.

“Now we have a responsibility to keep that flywheel going. That’s why, while other entertainment companies pull back, we’re leaning in – spending tens of billions of dollars on content every year, investing in production facilities from Spain to New Jersey, and growing the entertainment industry through training programmes.”

Netflix also highlighted the global effect of recent Bafta winner Adolescence on societies around the world, and talked up the impact it had had on non-English language shows.

Viewing of such titles represented less than a tenth of total viewing on Netflix ten years ago, the streamer said, while today it’s more than a third.