LOCAL television content producers are worried about losing their livelihood following the recent introduction of Netflix in Kenya. The platform is an American multinational provider of on-demand Internet streaming media.
Simiyu Barasa, one of the country’s most respected filmmakers, feels that almost everybody in the local TV content production will surely feel the pinch.
He says: “I am worried about Netflix and guys celebratory prophecies about the imminent chopping of DStv, and local FTA channels. Majority of us are sustained one way or another by DStv and its Maisha Magic and other platforms. Even those who are in local FTAs moonlight once in a while in DStv films and proggies especially actors. If DStv suffers huge losses, and they slash budgets to even the balance sheets, where do we run to? If they opt to compete with the Sh300 million per episode budget Netflix pumps to its series, they will do extremely few shows and many would be rendered jobless as only a few crew and actors can be accommodated.”
He is of the opinion that even if Netflix will have some local content, it will not be enough to accommodate the immense pool of Kenyan content producers.
“If they do, Kenyans will have to compete with cast and crew from 54 African countries, not enough to absorb the multitude of us. Our content quality is honestly nowhere near their standards and it will be a while to get it up there. We are about to feel the punch of a multinational conglomerate hitting our core livelihood,” says Simiyu.