Influenced By The Invasion Of Ukraine, Netflix Is Not Interested In Obeying Roskomnadzor To Distribute Russian Channels

Netflix has no interest in adding Russian government channels to its streaming. (photo: doc. unpslash)

JAKARTA – As if to implement the sanctions that have been imposed by the US and its ally, Netflix Inc., they are also moving. They don't block content from the Russian government, but they don't try to publish it either.

Netflix in an announcement on Monday 28 February, said that under current circumstances they have no plans to add state-run channels to their service in Russia. Whereas there are regulations in Russia that require streaming services to distribute state-supported channels.

"Given the current situation, we have no plans to add these channels to our service," a Netflix spokesperson said in a statement, referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Politico first reported that Netflix, which launched its service in Russia in October 2020, will come under new Russian regulations requiring compliance by March 1.

The regulation, overseen by Russia's communications regulator Roskomnadzor, requires audiovisual services with more than 100,000 subscribers in the country to distribute 20 free news, sports and entertainment channels.

A Netflix spokesperson declined to comment on the timing or whether the company has held conversations with Russian regulators regarding the matter. It's unclear how the service will be affected by its decision.

As reported by Reuters, Russia is one of 190 countries where Netflix is available.