Netflix has been prohibited from showing scripted television programs on its platform and will only be able to offer films that have been approved and classified by the Vietnamese authorities. Netflix has reportedly already complied with the request.
Of note, it had first been reported that it had been barred from showing television programs altogether but this appears to have been incorrect. The narrative that is circulating now, according to VN Express, is that companies streaming television programs need a local office whereas streaming sites that show only films do not. Though it doesn’t say this explicitly it seems that the difference between a television program and film is determined by whether it is scripted or not.
This is the latest in a series of moves made by the Vietnamese authorities to push Netflix to open a local office. The firm was reportedly set to do so at the end of last year, however, this never materialised and this latest development makes it seem that it is unlikely that it will. That said, Google, which is in a similar situation, is set to officially open its local office earlier next year which could offer some insights into what Netflix might expect should it follow the same path.