Netflix acquired rights to show a Russian sci-fi show about robots for $1 mio. It is a record-high deal between the online rental service and Russian filmmakers, Kommersant reports.
Better than Humans is a television show about robots that get out of control and start living like humans. The show was created by Start, a company belonging to Yellow Black & White producers and the Gazprom Media holding. The show has 16 episodes, each costing RUR 20 mio ($297K).
After a deal with the American company, the show will be dubbed for 25 countries and branded as an original Netflix series, which is the first such offer for a Russian product. Earlier, the most successful deal was selling rights to The Road to Calvary (12 episodes). The miniseries produced by NTV was sold for $500K. Netflix also bought rights to The Method, Silver Spoon and several animated films but they were shown with subtitles. Experts note that Russian shows are becoming more successful commercial products.