As huge Stranger Things fan, one of the things I was most excited about when coming to the UK was subscribing to Netflix and support it by re-watching it.
It’s well known that Netflix hasn’t expanded its services to Mainland China. However, Chinese audiences are not entirely unfamiliar with Netflix. Many entertainment bloggers on platforms regularly “relocate” Netflix trailers and news to Chinese social media.
How Do We Watch Netflix in China?
Despite the absence of Netflix in China, viewers have found ways to access its content. Here are three of the most common methods, ranked by cost and complexity:
1. Streaming Apps
Apps like Duoduo Video or Hanxiaoquan (typically for K-dramas) allow users to watch Netflix content for free, but they often come with ads ranging from 5 to 30 seconds. The videos are typically translated and subtitled by dedicated fan teams who do it purely out of interest. This practice aligns with the concept of labor sharing in Production Studies. However, the content is often edited to comply with local censorship. For instance, explicit scenes from The White Lotus, such as sexual content or graphic depictions, are usually removed.
Duoduo Video (left) and Hanxiaoquan (right)
2. File Transfers via Cloud Services
Some bloggers or fan-subtitling teams distribute uncut versions of Netflix content or materials too explicit for even the lenient streaming apps. These files are often shared through platforms like WeChat public account or Weibo, where viewers can transfer the links to their own cloud storage for viewing. However, compared to directly streaming via apps, this method requires more time and effort to locate the desired content.
3. Using VPNs to Subscribe
The most expensive option, but also the only legal way, is to use a VPN to access Netflix. Viewers need a reliable (often paid) VPN service to bypass regional restrictions and connect to a server outside China. They then need to purchase a Netflix account and use a foreign currency-supported credit card to pay for the subscription.
Why is Netflix Absent in Mainland China?
Netflix’s difficulty in entering the Chinese market boils down to two main reasons:
Content Censorship
The lack of a film rating system in China means all imported films and shows must undergo strict censorship. From the perspective of Critical Political Economy, the government’s control over media content reflects the extension of its power structure into cultural domains. This restricts many foreign productions from being approved for distribution.
Market Saturation
From a Media Economics standpoint, China’s entertainment market is already highly saturated. Major platforms like iQIYI, Tencent Video, Youku, and Mango TV dominate the space, producing and importing diverse shows and reality programs that meet the entertainment needs of most Chinese audiences. These platforms are also more closely aligned with domestic regulations and policies, making them more competitive than Netflix, whose entry would come with high costs and uncertain returns.
Netflix and China: A Bridge for Cultural Exchange
Despite the challenges, Netflix and China are not entirely disconnected. Some Netflix originals have been officially licensed and streamed on domestic platforms, while a few high-quality Chinese shows have made their way to Netflix, such as The Long Season. I find this exchange of content inspiring for cultural interaction and mutual appreciation.
I Wish to Pay for What I Love
While the current censorship system remains strict, the government seems to have shown some leniency toward more diverse content. For example, this summer, the release of uncut film like Alien in Chinese cinemas offered a glimpse of this shift in audience preferences.
The promotion of the movie Alian in Douyin, highlighting it’s an uncut version
Rather than going through multiple hoops to access free content, I’d much prefer to legally pay for what I love. Supporting creators and their works feels more meaningful and will definitely foster a more open and transparent media environment.