WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Internet television network Netflix will begin streaming a selection of its TV series and films in Cuba, the company said in a statement, the company announced following the United States decision to reestablish diplomatic relations with Havana.
“We are delighted to finally be able to offer Netflix to the people of Cuba, connecting them with stories they will love from all over the world,” Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings said in the statement on Monday. “Cuba has great filmmakers and a robust arts culture and one day we hope to be able to bring their work to our global audience of over 57 million members.”
The decision to stream content in Cuba comes as “Internet access improves and credit and debit cards become more widely available [in Cuba],” Netflix said.
Netflix began broadcasting in Latin America in 2011, and has since grown its membership to over 5 million people in the region, according to the US company.
US multinational financial services corporation MasterCard announced in January recently that it would unblock US-issued credit card activities in Cuba beginning in March.
US President Barack Obama announced in December that Washington would reestablish diplomatic relations with Havana and ease the five-decade-long US trade and travel restrictions imposed on Cuba.
The United States imposed an embargo on Cuba in 1961 during the Cold War because of antagonism between Washington and the communist government in Havana.
