Supply Diversity in Subscription Video-on-Demand Platforms in Mexico and Canada

Abstract

Background: Using the term “cultural diversity” as an analytical framework and normative guideline to assess cultural flows, this article analyzes the catalogs of major platforms for subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) in Mexico and Canada. Analysis: This study systematized the catalogs’ content titles to produce statistics on country of origin as indicators of “supply diversity.” Conclusions and implications: The results reveal that (1) content from the United States and Europe predominates; (2) tech platforms offer a higher degree of international content (“external diversity”) than platforms from traditional Hollywood studios and local companies; and (3) for most platforms, local content is scarce, which could indicate lower “internal diversity.”