One of the conundrums of streaming is that although a service can deliver content globally, it is not guaranteed to be acceptable in a particular local market. Netflix found this out when it announced global availability in 2016 at CES and was quickly banned in markets like Indonesia, where some of the content was deemed too violent or sexual. In 2016, without boots on the ground in a local market, it wasn’t easy to assess whether a show or movie would be culturally acceptable.

Situated just south of the equator, Tanzania is an East African country. It became a sovereign state in 1964 through the union of the theretofore separate states of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The name is derived from first three letters of two states Tanganyika and Zanzibar ("Tan" and "Zan") and the suffix, "ia" to form Tanzania . The country has two official languages Swahili and English. Swahili is the country's lingua franca comprised of Bantu dialects and Arabic.

"The only way you can predict the future is to build it." - Alan KayThe world of film and television is rapidly evolving, driven by continuous technological advancement and the insatiable global demand for content. As we look towards 2030, the localization industry stands at the forefront of this transformation, poised to redefine how audiences worldwide experience their favorite shows and movies. To thrive in this dynamic landscape, localization companies must adapt and innovate.

Spherex, a global technology and data company serving the Media and Entertainment industry, will showcase SpherexAI™, its pioneering AI platform for video content compliance and analysis, at NAB 2024 in Las Vegas from April 13 to 17. The SpherexAI™ platform empowers content owners to adapt their narratives for the broadest international audience while avoiding regulatory restrictions and censorship barriers. Spherex will be exhibiting at Booth W2217 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Navigating international distribution is challenging and risky.In the ever-evolving media and entertainment landscape, the intersection of legal constraints and cultural sensitivities is a pressing concern for creators and industry professionals. The recent controversy surrounding the film "Mentega Terbang" in Malaysia, highlighted in three insightful articles: Time , Free Malaysia Today , and South China Morning Post , shed light on the complex challenges of navigating legal and cultural issues.

25-35% of consumers watch international content.When the summer box office hinted the movie business was returning to pre-pandemic normal, the WGA and SAG/AFTRA strikes halted productions , and studios once again needed a source of new content. Although some titles were completed, the strikes meant that until the parties reached an agreement, no union members were available to promote films or series. As has been reported at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), deals aren't happening because all sales must conform to the final negotiated settlements, and studios are reluctant to spend money on deals until the terms are known.

In early 2020, the COVID pandemic forced studios to rethink how and when to release major motion pictures. The pandemic cut available theaters and release times by more than half, and the industry and revenues worldwide suffered significantly. With the public no longer able to watch films in person, a new strategy for releasing theatrical films was necessary, and the "Cross-Platform Release" strategy was born.

Some of their reasons may surprise you!If you're older than a Millennial, there's a good chance you've rarely watched TV with subtitles onscreen. When you did, it was probably sitting with someone hearing impaired or watching a foreign language film.

One of the most anticipated releases this summer is director Greta Gerwig's "Barbie," starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Billed as a movie to see whether you love or hate Barbie, it brings to life the doll first introduced in 1959. Censors in Vietnam and possibly the Philippines have decided to ban its release not because of the action, characters, or dialogue but for including a map both countries say violates their sovereignty.