Netflix Admits No Shows Pass China’s Censors

Netflix is a global powerhouse, but it still can’t crack the Chinese market. At a recent economic summit, co-CEO Ted Sarandos explained that “not a single episode of a single Netflix show” has ever passed China’s strict censorship board—even after partnering with local streamer iQiyi and spending years adapting content.

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Sarandos recalled that Netflix invested heavily over the past decade, believing China was too important to ignore. They tweaked storylines, cut scenes, and sought approvals, yet regulators never granted permission. Eventually, Netflix realized that, as a U.S. company, it simply wasn’t wanted there.

Surprisingly, this blockade has a silver lining: with no exposure to Chinese regulations or tariffs, Netflix is insulated from the latest U.S.-China trade disputes. While the company continues to expand worldwide, its long-running bid for a Chinese launch remains on hold—a powerful reminder of how media censorship can keep even the biggest platforms at bay.

Main image: alphacoders.com