Hollywood giant Netflix, which has a $155 billion market cap, will “rethink” its “entire investment in Georgia” should an anti-abortion law take effect, Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement obtained by TheWrap.
“We have many women working on productions in Georgia, whose rights, along with millions of others, will be severely restricted by this law,” Sarandos said. “It’s why we will work with the ACLU and others to fight it in court. Given the legislation has not yet been implemented, we’ll continue to film there — while also supporting partners and artists who choose not to. Should it ever come into effect, we’d rethink our entire investment in Georgia.”
A spokesman for Netflix declined to provide TheWrap with a tally of productions or the amount of money it currently has invested in Georgia. Series “Ozark,” “Insatiable” and the movie “Holidate” are currently in production in the Peach State.
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Georgia is not the only state where some legislators are lobbying for laws that could limit a woman’s reproductive rights — it’s just the one with the largest presence of Hollywood productions. Several producers have said they will no longer film in Georgia due to the political climate there.
Earlier this month, the state’s governor, Brian Kemp, signed a bill that aims to outlaw abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat.
Georgia is an (otherwise) attractive alternative to Hollywood due to the state’s liberal tax incentives for TV and film productions. Turner is headquartered in Atlanta.
The Sarandos statement was first published in Variety.
HobGadlingson on May 28th, 2019 at 19:48 UTC »
Good. Friggin' come back to Los Angeles once in awhile. We miss you. I know the sweet, sweet tax incentives are ruling the roost. But man. There is some backwards shiz going on socially.
Of course, if progressives would vote the way conservatives do, we might not have this problem. But the conservatives are winning the vote game. They're stacking the courts. And that's not going to change anytime soon.
Dirt_11B on May 28th, 2019 at 14:19 UTC »
Honestly, it’s kind of nice to see a powerhouse like Netflix make a move like this.
I really do hope they are making this move for the overall welfare of their female employees, and not just doing it for sake of politics.
Americans do not do well under prohibition (of any kind), and I can only imagine the droves of people and businesses that will be leaving Georgia and Alabama for good. Their economy will certainly suffer.
rustyboyultra on May 28th, 2019 at 14:06 UTC »
Sucks for anyone working in Georgia on film or shows.