Apple TV+ to Offer Russian-Language Content Through New First-Look Deal

[MacRumors]

Russian-language shows are likely headed to Apple TV+, as Variety reports that Apple has signed a first-look deal with AR Content, a production company led by Ukranian and Russian producer and director Alexander Rodnyansky.

A scene from Russian film "Loveless" produced by Alexander Rodnyansky​

The deal will reportedly provide Apple with an opportunity to secure Russian-language and multilingual shows for Apple TV+, set both inside and outside Russia, with both Russian and international writers and directors.

"Apple is extremely interested to explore the possibilities in that part of the world," said Rodnyansky, who received Academy Award nominations for the 2014 film "Leviathan" and 2017 film "Loveless." "It's going to be the very first of all the global streaming platforms to sign a strategic partnership with a company with Russian roots."

Apple TV+ is gradually expanding its non-English content. Israeli spy thriller series "Tehran" has primarily Hebrew dialogue, and last month, Apple greenlit contemporary thriller "Liaison" as its first French-language series.

Article Link: Apple TV+ to Offer Russian-Language Content Through New First-Look Deal

 

[I@beck]

I am glad to see that Apple is going multilingual/series. Good Jobs Apple. 😀

 

[VaruLV]

While good move for their business with getting more regional conent in local languages available, I hope that theres going to be some quality stuff, which Russian and Ukraine content has never brimmed with, same cheap police series, soap operas of low quality like the ones from Mexico, basically low budget low quality series and movies.
When they do get some more money they just make some horrible cliche stuff copied from Hollywood without the production and performance quality of Hollywood and with plot being so horribly cheesy together with horrendous acting.

Heres hope that Im going to be wrong and they(Apple) will push for more original, world class quality content, because, IMHO, its always interesting to see good quality arts coming from different parts of the world, different cultures with different views on the world were living.

 

[giv-as-a-ciggy-kent]

While good move for their business with getting more regional conent in local languages available, I hope that theres going to be some quality stuff, which Russian and Ukraine content has never brimmed with, same cheap police series, soap operas of low quality like the ones from Mexico, basically low budget low quality series and movies.
When they do get some more money they just make some horrible cliche stuff copied from Hollywood without the production and performance quality of Hollywood and with plot being so horribly cheesy together with horrendous acting.

Heres hope that Im going to be wrong and they(Apple) will push for more

Implying American tv is brimming with quality lmao

careful with that last comment the jannies here don’t take to kindly to reasonable thought

tbh I hope they bring us season 3 of silver spoon. Netflix really dropped the ball on that one.

 

[madoka]

Korea is where it's at! They should get Korean content like Netflix has learned to do.

 

[VaruLV]

Implying American tv is brimming with quality lmao

careful with that last comment the jannies here don’t take to kindly to reasonable thought

tbh I hope they bring us season 3 of silver spoon. Netflix really dropped the ball on that one.

Haha, lol, no, I dont think that all western content is quality, but you got the picture I think !

 

[LeadingHeat]

As long as it’s top tier production quality, I’m all in for this! I loved Tehran and welcome more international series and films.

 

[kaycrystal626]

Now they will need some Chinese content to compete with Netflix!

 

[giv-as-a-ciggy-kent]

Now they will need some Chinese content to compete with Netflix!

No they should compete by being different not attempting to match the other services. Lots of stuff from lots of countries no one’s ever seen.

 

[kaycrystal626]

No they should compete by being different not attempting to match the other services. Lots of stuff from lots of countries no one’s ever seen.

Apple has a good market share in China! Adding Chinese content and have Apple TV+ in China will be huge!

 

[0924487]

Now they will need some Chinese content to compete with Netflix!

Apple is not allowed to operate its media operation in China, and the Chinese tech companies are really strong and captive. I don't think Apple stands a chance in this market here. Just like Apple Pay is available in China, but it has no chance of winning significant market share because it is not designed for the Chinese market with its unique characteristics from the ground up. It's a port over, so it can't compete. Just like Alipay is available in America, but it can't compete with Amex and Visa.

On the other hand, Russian tech is really weak and, there is a big and unsaturated market for Slavic content. So, Apple will obviously go with the path of least resistance.

Also, the culture of piracy is really high in Russia and China, since it is the only way to obtain most of the content, legally or illegally in those countries due to broadcast import licensing restrictions. Most titles are not licensed to be shown there, regardless of how much you are willing to pay. I am not sure how Apple is going to deal with that. DMCA doesn't work in China or Russia because the US does not have jurisdiction or treaty for that sorta thing with either China or Russia.

Also, Netflix is well connected with Chinese companies. They license their titles to be shown on Tencent and Youku platforms, which generates a lot of revenue for them. Those friendly partners are going to lobby against Apple for Netflix in China. The Chinese tech companies all hate Apple for being a monopoly on App Store policies, even though Apple has capitulated again and again in China over its fees.

 

[alexandr]

While good move for their business with getting more regional conent in local languages available, I hope that theres going to be some quality stuff, which Russian and Ukraine content has never brimmed with, same cheap police series, soap operas of low quality like the ones from Mexico, basically low budget low quality series and movies.
When they do get some more money they just make some horrible cliche stuff copied from Hollywood without the production and performance quality of Hollywood and with plot being so horribly cheesy together with horrendous acting.

Heres hope that Im going to be wrong and they(Apple) will push for more original, world class quality content, because, IMHO, its always interesting to see good quality arts coming from different parts of the world, different cultures with different views on the world were living.

why don't you watch "loveless" first and then share your insights.

 

[jimbobb24]

I welcome more Russian content. Netflix has some great stuff and for awhile I was only watching Russian shows. “Better than Us” I thought was more interesting than Ex Machina.

 

[alexandr]

I welcome more Russian content. Netflix has some great stuff and for awhile I was only watching Russian shows. “Better than Us” I thought was more interesting than Ex Machina.

did you watch "method"?

 

[Agrailag]

While good move for their business with getting more regional conent in local languages available, I hope that theres going to be some quality stuff, which Russian and Ukraine content has never brimmed with, same cheap police series, soap operas of low quality like the ones from Mexico, basically low budget low quality series and movies.
When they do get some more money they just make some horrible cliche stuff copied from Hollywood without the production and performance quality of Hollywood and with plot being so horribly cheesy together with horrendous acting.

Heres hope that Im going to be wrong and they(Apple) will push for more original, world class quality content, because, IMHO, its always interesting to see good quality arts coming from different parts of the world, different cultures with different views on the world were living.

As russian i should say, that we have enough good quality stuff, but most are art-films.

 

[VaruLV]

why don't you watch "loveless" first and then share your insights.

Ive seen some good stuff, sure, but Im not sure that its what Apple will be targeting at, as Agrailag below said:

As russian i should say, that we have enough good quality stuff, but most are art-films.

...which brings the point that lots of those films are for, lets just say, without being too snobbish, more kind of intellectual viewer, not your average Netflix binger who just needs sex and fast cars and stuff, and that might be an issue.

Artsy or intelectual cinema is good, but the target audience for Apple will be too narrow in that regard IMHO.
They need to bring good, quality regional stuff that appeals to masses.

 

[alexandr]

Ive seen some good stuff, sure, but Im not sure that its what Apple will be targeting at, as Agrailag below said:


...which brings the point that lots of those films are for, lets just say, without being too snobbish, more kind of intellectual viewer, not your average Netflix binger who just needs tits and ass and fast cars and stuff, and that might be an issue.

Artsy or intelectual cinema is good, but the target audience for Apple will be too narrow in that regard IMHO.
They need to bring good, quality regional stuff that appeals to masses.

try watching method then. i think you might like it.

Watch Метод | Netflix

Амбициозная юная выпускница юридического факультета приходит в восторг, когда ее кумир берет ее на работу стажером. Но его методы выходят за грани представлений девушки.

www.netflix.com

 

[jimbobb24]

did you watch "method"?

Yes. Really enjoyed it. I almost included it but could not remember exact name and was too lazy to look up.

 

[alexandr]

Yes. Really enjoyed it. I almost included it but could not remember exact name and was too lazy to look up.

it was pretty good. second season doesn't compare at all. don't even think it's on netflix.

 

[alex2792]

But Russians are our sworn enemies! Putin will now be able to spy on every Apple TV subscriber!!

 

[tongxinshe]

Apple TV+ needs to sign deals with a lot more film studios, to get their accumulated titles listed. Without a large list, it’s basically to disappear sooner or later.

 

[alexandr]

But Russians are our sworn enemies! Putin will now be able to spy on every Apple TV subscriber!!

 

[FriendlyMackle]

Implying American tv is brimming with quality lmao

careful with that last comment the jannies here don’t take to kindly to reasonable thought

tbh I hope they bring us season 3 of silver spoon. Netflix really dropped the ball on that one.

Was Silver Spoon any good? I thought about watching that but never got around to it.

While I do agree, there's a lot of schlock (just like American tv), I have seen some quality Russian tv series.

Actually, one I found on Amazon Prime Video a few years ago, which creatively detailed a fictional life of the writer Nikolai Gogol...fighting monsters! It was wonderful, and full of Russian fable-fairy-tale creatures, which you rarely see here in the West. Excellent acting, production, effects, cinematography, everything. I really enjoyed it. Just looked it up and now it's on IMDBTV, so it's 'free' with commercials. In case anyone wants to have a look. Unfortunately, it was only one season!

Edit: Series name is "Gogol" — I forgot to include that! Apparently, it was based (loosely) on one of his first collections of stories, but fictionalized with him as the protagonist (rather than the peasant in the stories). The style is gothic, atmospheric, almost grimdark! It got good critical reviews.

 

[giv-as-a-ciggy-kent]

But Russians are our sworn enemies! Putin will now be able to spy on every Apple TV subscriber!!

We’ve never been at war with eurasia

Was Silver Spoon any good? I thought about watching that but never got around to it.

While I do agree, there's a lot of schlock (just like American tv), I have seen some quality Russian tv series. Actually, one I found on Amazon Prime Video a few years ago, which creatively detailed a fictional life of the writer Nikolai Gogol...fighting monsters! It was wonderful, and full of Russian fable-fairy-tale creatures, which you rarely see here in the West. Excellent acting, production, effects, cinematography, everything. I really enjoyed it. Just looked it up and now it's on IMDBTV, so it's 'free' with commercials. In case anyone wants to have a look. Unfortunately, it was only one season!

Silver spoon started off slow and as a sort of badly done comedy but quickly turned serious. Season 2 really ratcheted up the tension and ended on a huge cliffhanger. In my top 10 for sure (but I have weird tastes so grain of salt)

 

[zepfhyr]

I welcome more Russian content. Netflix has some great stuff and for awhile I was only watching Russian shows. “Better than Us” I thought was more interesting than Ex Machina.

I went to college with the director for "Better Than Us". I sent him the link to this article and told him to start making some calls. 😂