Disney+ and Netflix Ramp Up Non-English Acquisitions as Japanese and Korean Content Demand Soars

Global streaming giants Disney+ and Netflix are increasingly turning to non-English-language content, with new research from Ampere Analysis revealing that such titles now account for the majority of their acquisitions. As of September, non-English content made up 65% of Netflix’s acquisitions and over half of Disney+’s, underscoring a strategic shift toward international programming. This trend is driven by the surging popularity of Japanese and Korean content, including anime, K-dramas, and films, which have proven to attract and retain subscribers worldwide. By investing heavily in local-language productions, both platforms aim to differentiate themselves in a crowded streaming market and tap into passionate fan bases that extend far beyond their countries of origin. The data suggests that non-English content is no longer a niche offering but a core pillar of global content strategy, with both services likely to expand their international catalogs further in the coming years.