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Los Angeles (AFP) – Netflix will broadcast a live show by American comedian Chris Rock, a first for the streaming giant, which wants to win back subscribers and faces competition from other platforms that already offer live broadcasts.
The show will air in early 2023, Netflix announced Thursday, in a statement in which its vice president in charge of humor, Robbie Praw, promised “an unforgettable moment”.
The group suffered a growth crisis in the first half of the year, with a net loss of 1.2 million subscribers, which prompted it to take various measures to reverse the trend.
In particular, from November it offers a new cheaper monthly subscription, but with advertising, in order to attract new consumers and earn additional income.
Experiencing a live broadcast with Chris Rock, who made headlines in the spring when he was slapped by actor Will Smith at the Oscars, is also a way to diversify his offering.
Netflix also plans to offer live sports on its platform, according to information released by the Wall Street Journal this week.
In the ultra-competitive universe of streaming, where platforms are now plentiful, its rivals Disney + and Amazon Prime Video already allow their subscribers to watch sports or live concerts.
Netflix, which rebounded to gain 2.4 million additional subscribers in the third quarter, was already hosting an annual comedy festival in Los Angeles. But the shows given during this event were not broadcast live.
© 2022 AFP
