Starting in March, Netflix must stream 20 state tv channels in Russia. Roskomnadzor, the nation’s media watchdog, registered the platform as an “audiovisual service” this week. Among the channels Netflix must carry are the flagship Channel One, leisure community NTV and a Russian Orthodox Church channel referred to as Spas (which implies “Saved”).

Streaming companies with greater than 100,000 day by day customers in Russia are included on the register, which was established late final yr. Not solely should registered platforms provide state TV channels, they should arrange a Russian firm, based on The Moscow Times.

Companies on the register additionally should abide by Russian legal guidelines. For one factor, Netflix won’t be allowed to advertise “extremism.” Critics declare that provision has been wielded in opposition to those that assist the Kremlin’s opponents.

Other video companies within the nation reportedly argued that Netflix ought to be added to the register to stage the enjoying subject, because it meets the necessities. The Russian model of Netflix is operated by Entertainment Online Service, a subsidiary of National Media Group, which has a stake in Channel One.

Engadget has contacted Netflix for remark.

In November, it emerged Russia was investigating a criticism over LGBTQIA+ content material on Netflix. The firm informed Engadget such content material was rated appropriately. That similar month, Russia ordered a number of tech giants (together with Apple, Google, Meta, TikTok and Twitter) to arrange places of work inside its borders by the top of this yr.