For Netflix, translation accuracy is more important. The Los Gatos, California-based business has made significant investments in foreign-language programming to appeal to an expanding global audience of 222 million customers while contending with mounting competition and decreasing subscriber growth.

Take the song “All of Us Are Dead,” which made its debut on January 28 and has since made it to the top 10 in 89 nations, including the United States. All of us are Dead have dubbed in 14 other languages, which follows a group of high school kids coping with a zombie virus pandemic.

For several reasons, replacing the original dialogue of a film or television show with audio in another language is crucial to Netflix’s success in the global market.

  • First, dubbing allows Netflix to expand its reach to markets where the primary language differs from the original content. By providing dubbed versions of its content, Netflix can appeal to a broader audience and increase its subscriber base in these markets.
  • Second, dubbing allows Netflix to offer its content in a more accessible and convenient format for international audiences. Many people prefer to watch content in their native language, and dubbing allows them to do so without relying on subtitles, which can be challenging to read or understand for some viewers.

Finally, dubbing is an important  Text to Speech Software part of Netflix’s strategy. This involves adapting its content and marketing efforts to meet different international markets’ specific needs and preferences. Dubbing Netflix content can better connect with and engage global audiences, which can help drive its success in these markets.

Dubbing Crucial to Netflix's Success in the Global Market
Image Credit: Netflix

Netflix’s Original Content and Global Ambitions:

Netflix is a streaming service that offers various TV shows, movies, and other original content. The company became popular by producing and distributing high-quality original programming, such as “Stranger Things,” “The Crown,” and “Orange is the New Black.” Netflix has also invested heavily in international expansion, making its content available in more than 190 countries worldwide.

As part of its global ambitions, Netflix dubbing has made a concerted effort to produce and distribute content in various languages, including Spanish, French, German, and more. This has allowed the company to appeal to a broader audience and build a strong brand presence in international markets.

In addition to its original programming, Netflix offers a large selection of licensed content from other studios and networks. This includes popular shows and movies from various genres, including drama, comedy, and science fiction.

Overall, Netflix’s focus on producing and distributing high-quality original content and its global expansion efforts have been critical factors in its success and ability to attract and retain a large and diverse customer base.

Why is Dubbing Important for Netflix’s International Expansion?

Like many other media companies, Netflix has a significant presence in international markets, and dubbing is integral to its strategy for expanding into these markets. By providing dubbed versions of its content in local languages, Netflix can make its content more accessible and appealing to a broader audience. This can help increase the popularity of its content and drive subscription growth in these markets.

In addition to making content more accessible to a broader audience, dubbing can also help to preserve the original intent and tone of the content. Translation of dialogue from one language to another can be a challenging task, and the use of dubbed voices allows for a more faithful and accurate translation of the original conversation. This can help ensure that audiences in different countries and cultures receive the content similarly.

Overall, dubbing is integral to Netflix’s international dubbing expansion strategy. It allows the company to make its content more appealing to a broader audience and helps preserve the integrity of the original content.

Why Do Consumers Want Content In Their Language?

The demand for watching content in one’s language will likely vary depending on the market and the specific audience. For example, Markets where the dominant language is not English may significantly demand content that somebody has dubbed or subtitled in the local language. This may be especially true in markets where English proficiency could be higher, as viewers may need help to follow content in English.

There are several reasons why consumers may prefer content in their language:

  1. Improved Understanding And Comprehension: Watching content in a familiar language is likely to be a more enjoyable and engaging experience, as viewers can understand and follow the plot more quickly.
  2. Cultural Relevance: Many prefer content that reflects their culture and experiences. For example, a viewer in France may choose to watch a French-language show or movie rather than one in English.
  3. Ease of Use: For some viewers, watching content in their language may be more convenient, as they will not need to read subtitles or rely on translations.

Overall, the desire for content in one’s language is often driven by a combination of these factors. Many people find it more enjoyable and engaging to watch content that they can fully understand and that reflects their own culture and experiences.

Having A Conversation About The Quality Of Dubbing Can Change Consumers’ Perceptions:

Having a conversation about the quality of dubbing could change consumers’ perceptions of the content being dubbed. If the dubbed voice is of high quality and accurately conveys the original message and tone of the content, viewers may be more likely to enjoy and appreciate the dubbed version. On the other hand, if the dubbing could be of better quality or accurately convey the original message, it may positively impact viewers’ perceptions of the content.

The quality of Netflix dubbing is essential in determining how well viewers will receive a dubbed version of a show or movie. High-quality dubbing can help ensure that the dubbed version is engaging and enjoyable for viewers, while poor-quality dubbing can lead to a less enjoyable viewing experience.

It is worth knowing that other factors, such as the talent of the voice actors and the quality of the Translation, can also influence dubbing quality. Ensuring these elements are also high quality can help improve the quality of the dubbed version and increase its appeal to viewers.

Having A Conversation About The Quality Of Dubbing Can Change Consumers' Perceptions:
Image Credit – Netflix

Dubbing Also Helps For Accessibility Purposes:

A film can be created in a variety of methods and for a variety of reasons. The term “film” can also describe various forms of videography, including YouTube content, short films, commercials, music videos, and more.

As there are many ways to define “film,” there are also many ways to evaluate the level of art that went into making it. How accessible films should be is a contentious topic many people find helpful to discuss. This may entirely depend on the project’s overall and internal scopes. In contrast to a fragrance advertisement, which can even progress towards auteur film making if the product itself is good, educational videos should be accessible to a fault.

However, there is a considerable way to go regarding accessibility, so finding ways to include it in movies is crucial. In this piece, we’ll go through six ways that you can incorporate accessibility into movies to empower your future projects and provide you with more options as a producer or director. Without further ado, ponder the following:

Localization

Naturally, it’s necessary to explore how accessibility can be included in a film experience through modifications and considerations. Still, it’s also critical to consider the most fundamental recognition techniques, text-to-speech and localization. Film titles, poster design, and other marketing materials are frequently developed based on the nation and predominant language of such countries. 

In other instances, this might entail offering fresh edits of a movie to go around national rating bodies because they frequently advise why a movie got a specific score and what you should think about doing if you want to lower it. Indeed, you don’t need to change the substance of your movie depending on where you want to show it, but you can still do so.

For example, the Welsh television noir Hinterland was filmed in both Welsh and English. Although it’s doubtful that you’ll invest the time and money in Translation in this manner, it’s comforting to know that it’s a possibility for accessibility. Voiceover and dubbing can sometimes handle the heavy lifting

Representation

More and more people understand why this matters, why original tales are vital, and why it is critical to ensure that everyone feels as though their stories can be conveyed in the film making arena. What matters is that we keep working to raise awareness and make space so that more people can express themselves through art than ever before, free from artificial restraints.

Conclusion:

Dubbing, or providing translated audio for visual media such as films and television shows, is crucial for Netflix’s business in the global market for several reasons:

  1. Language barriers: Dubbing allows Netflix to make its content accessible to a broader audience by providing audio translations into different languages. This is particularly important in markets where English is not the primary language, as it allows Netflix to reach a more extensive potential customer base.
  2. Competition: Dubbing allows Netflix to compete better with local content providers in different markets. By offering dubbed versions of its content, Netflix can appeal to a broader audience and potentially attract viewers who prefer to watch locally-produced content.

Dubbing is a crucial aspect of Netflix’s business strategy in the global market, as it allows the company to expand its reach and appeal to a diverse range of customers worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Netflix Dubbing?

The dubbing aims to give the performers new phrases to say, but they still need to get enough screen time in the final cut. There is a barrier to the number of words that can appear in the subtitles while still giving viewers adequate time to read them.

Why Do Movies Need Dubbing?

Regardless of the actual shooting circumstances, dubbing enables the filmmaker to achieve high-quality language. The original soundtrack can also be enhanced with sound effects through dubbing.

Why Do Netflix Subtitles Not Match The Dub?

Because the subtitles are not closed captions and are not intended to be a transcription of the dub. The dub also has various limitations that prevent it from being a faithful translation, like the sub.

Are Subtitles Or Dubs More Accurate On Netflix?

Subtitles are generally more faithful to the original script, which brings us to our last pro. Scripts are frequently changed in dubs to make the audio and mouth motions coincide.

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Sneha Mukherjee

Content and Copywriter at Wavel AI

I fuse my passion for technology with storytelling, breathing life into our innovative solutions through words. My mission transcends features, focusing on crafting engaging narratives that connect users and render AI accessible to all.