Netflix titles are seen on a tablet. Photo by VnExpress/Luu Quy
Netflix has removed only “unscripted” titles for its users in Vietnam to comply with local laws after a watchdog demanded it to distribute only film-related contents.
“We recently removed several unscripted titles in Vietnam, consistent with local regulations,” the streaming giant said in a statement Monday.
“The vast majority of our titles – including films, scripted series and documentaries – are still available.”
The Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information said recently that as Netflix registers as a film distributor in Vietnam, and not a TV show distributor, it cannot distribute non-film contents starting Monday.
In Vietnam, film and entertainment shows fall under different categories and are subject to different regulations, according to a decree which came into effect early last year.
Distributors of entertainment shows need to set up a company in Vietnam, but film distributors do not.
The broadcasting authority therefore wanted Netflix to remove reality shows such as “Longest Third Date” and “Down For Love.”
But as of Tuesday morning these shows were still available for Vietnamese users.
Netflix however did remove some unscripted shows such as “Physical: 100,” “Single’s Inferno,” and “Too hot to handle.”
The broadcasting authority has not commented on Netflix’s response.
After the decree on entertainment shows came into effect, some platforms withdrew from Vietnam, including U.S.-based Amazon’s Prime Video service which shut down in October after a seven-year presence.
China’s Iqiyi was flagged the same month for distributing entertainment shows since it has registered only to provide film-related content.
The broadcasting authority said last year that the enforcement of such regulations aims to ensure fair competition between domestic and international television businesses.
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