AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: NPR's Business News starts with binge-watching in Europe. Video-streaming giant Netflix is expanding into France today, but the welcome so far has not been a warm one. Media outlets there are complaining that the California-based company will erode French culture. In an effort to sooth skeptics, the streaming service is producing an eight-part French political thriller, similar to its U.S. hit "House Of Cards." Ironically, the rights to the actual "House Of Cards" is owned by Canal+, Netflix's main French competitor. Later this month, the streaming service will launch into Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is already available in over 40 countries, with some 50 million subscribers.
But the welcome so far has not been a warm one for the video-streaming giant. Media outlets in France are complaining that the California-based company will erode French culture.