CBC to Discontinue Co-Producing Shows with Netflix, Says President and CEO

We might not be seeing our favorite CBC shows on Netflix very shortly.

According to a new report from the Financial Times, the Canadian Broadcasting Company’s president and CEO said that the company may step back from Netflix co-productions.

“We’re not going to do deals that hurt the long-term viability of our domestic industry,” Catherine Tait told the Content Canada podcast last week.

“A number of countries have done deals, as we did, with Netflix … and over time we start to see that we’re feeding the growth of Netflix, or we’re feeding the growth of Amazon, rather than feeding our own domestic business and industry.”

For context, the following CBC shows are all available on Netflix: Alias Grace, Anne with an E, Schitt’s Creek, Workin’ Moms, Kim’s Convenience, Heartland and Intelligence.

The report also explained the behind-the-scenes mechanics potentially fueling CBC’s decision regarding Netflix. Streaming services are not forced to collect sales tax in Canada. Accordingly, there is no requirement for Netflix to invest in Canada itself, while Canadian broadcasters have to put 5 percent of their gross revenue in the Canada Media Fund.

The move comes as Netflix ramps up its activity in Canada — the company launched a Toronto production hub in February; in September, it said it had fulfilled its promise to invest $500 million in original Canadian productions three years ahead of schedule.

CBC breaking up with Netflix is another loss for the service in a string of losses. Disney is pulling its content out of the streaming giant’s library as it launches its own rival service in Disney+. CBC’s breakup news comes as Disney made headlines for reportedly moving to ban Netflix ads from airing on ABC and its other networks.