1. Home
  2. Entertainment
  3. News

Netflix suspends its streaming service in Russia

By

Netflix has become the latest tech firm to suspend operations in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Given the circumstances on the ground, we have decided to suspend our service in Russia,” the U.S.-based company said in a widely reported statement on Sunday, March 6.

Recommended Videos

The action means that anyone in Russia wanting to sign up to Netflix will be unable to do so starting Monday, March 7. The 1 million or so existing subscribers there will be able to continue using their account until the end of their current billing cycle, according to Politico.

In related action, Netflix recently halted work on its original Russian detective drama series Zato and said it would stop work on creating new content in Russia for the foreseeable future.

The streaming giant has also declined to broadcast 20 Russian free-to-air propaganda channels that Russian law requires Netflix to host. It’s not clear if it will face any repercussions for its refusal to air the content.

Netflix recently made available for free the 2015 feature-length documentary Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight For Freedom, which follows the political and social unrest that hit the nation in 2013 and 2014 and offers a look at the passion and determination of many of the people that are fighting again today.

Netflix tweeted to its 16.6 million followers on Saturday: “We stand united,” adding that viewing of Winter on Fire was up sevenfold since making it free to view, with the current view count standing at more than 300,000.

We stand united. 

Viewing of Winter on Fire is up sevenfold — including in Russia. https://t.co/GVAlRt7qvr

— Netflix (@netflix) March 5, 2022

The decision by Netflix to suspend operations in Russia sees it join a growing list of global tech firms halting operations in the country while the conflict continues. Microsoft, Apple, Google, Facebook, Intel, AMD, and TikTok are among many compamnies that have taken various kinds of action that impacts their operations in Russia in some way. More information on how the tech industry is reacting to the war in Ukraine can be found on this Digital Trends page.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Like the Netflix hit series Baby Reindeer? Then watch these 3 great shows now

Netflix’s smash-hit series Baby Reindeer is a mind-blowing true story about Scottish comedian Richard Gadd, who was relentlessly stalked by a woman for years. In the process of telling his story, it also reveals a traumatic event that occurred in his past. The underlying themes in the series hit hard, but it's also a cathartic story of damaged self-worth, loneliness, ambition, desperation, assault, and a system that often fails people.

Chances are you have probably already powered your way through the seven episodes of the black-comedy drama thriller. If you’re looking for something else to satiate your appetite while processing the disturbingly good show, put these three series on your radar to tackle next.
Beef (2023)

Read more
Netflix debuts first teaser trailer for Cobra Kai season 6

Netflix has grand plans for the final run of Cobra Kai, including the longest season to date with 15 episodes. But the downside of that news is that Cobra Kai season 6 is being split into three parts, and the last batch of episodes is being held back until 2025. In the meantime, the first teaser trailer for Cobra Kai season 6 has arrived. And while the trailer is light on story details, it's good to see the students of Johnny and Daniel's combined dojo training together again.

Cobra Kai Season 6 | Date Announcement | Netflix

Read more
Everything leaving Netflix in May 2024

Netflix is always at its best when it has a robust lineup of movies from other studios to go along with its original films. But in May, Netflix is going to lose a lot of great flicks, because several of its movies on loan from rival studios are going back home. This month, that includes L.A. Confidential, the first four Hunger Games movies, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and even Where the Crawdads Sing, which enjoyed a nearly 18-month run on Netflix following its theatrical release.

Fox's short-lived sitcom The Mick is also departing Netflix, which tends to shed movies more often than it does shows. But there is an upside to this month's content migration: May has a full 31 days and a holiday weekend. That should go a long way toward helping plan your movie nights so you can catch these films and shows before they depart.

Read more