Netflix has a US$100 million fund to provide support for its creators during COVID-19

Photo courtesy of Netflix

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many TV and movie productions have shut down. The necessary move affects services like Netflix, who need a steady stream of shows as well as the productions that rely on Netflix for their livelihoods. That's why the streaming service created a US$100 million fund for the workers in the creative field—from actors to set crews. The majority of the money will be given to the "hardest hit" staffers of its original shows. Around US$15 million of the fund will be given to third-party organizations and non-profits that are helping combat the pandemic (like SAG-AFTRA's COVID-19 Disaster Fund and the Actors Fund Emergency Assistance).

How Netflix plans to divide the amount changes "production by production." The company previously promised two weeks of pay promised to productions that stopped work last week. While it's great for the streaming service to help out, Netflix also needs this for their future. With smaller productions who possibly can't afford the work stoppage, this ensures that they will be able to continue working in the future.

Source: Engadget