Netflix might ‘rethink’ Georgia investment over anti-abortion bill
Netflix has become the first major Hollywood studio to speak out on Georgia’s controversial anti-abortion bill, saying that if the law goes into effect the streaming giant will “rethink our entire investment” in the production-hub state.
Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer, said in a statement Tuesday that Netflix will work with the American Civil Liberties Union to fight the law in court.
“We have many women working on productions in Georgia, whose rights, along with millions of others, will be severely restricted by this law,” said Sarandos in the statement first published by Variety.
“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,” Sarandos said.
Earlier this month, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill that would ban abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which could be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. He consequently delayed an annual trip to Los Angeles to promote Georgia’s film industry.
The bill is slated to go into effect in January 2020.
Since the signing of the bill, many in the film and TV industry said that they would refuse to take their productions to Georgia.
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo said they would relocate their Lionsgate film “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” and Reed Morano decided to cancel plans to scout locations in Georgia for Amazon Studios’ upcoming series “The Power.”
With Post wires
