The (neoliberal) feminism of global SVOD platforms, Netflix’s inclusion policy, and the negotiations of women audiovisual creators: two Spanish case studies

Since 2018, Netflix has implemented inclusion measures on both sides of the screen. This article analyses how the platform’s approach to inclusion, specifically, in terms of gender equality, plays out in the Spanish context. As previous research has shown, inclusion measures supported by Netflix are precarious because they are subjected to commercial interests. Our discussion focuses on how two Spanish initiatives born in collaboration with Netflix navigate this reality: the mentorship program for the development of female-led projects, “CIMA Impulsa,” and a 2019 show co-produced with the Catalan public channel TV3, Les de l’hoquei/The Hockey Girls. Our data reveals non-linear feminist struggles in both cases. Ultimately, we argue that foregrounding the market without adequate legislation leaves creators in a vulnerable position, from which they negotiate the opportunity given by the support of a global platform, while being aware of its neoliberal approach and within the limitations that come with it.