U.S.-based streaming giant Netflix has announced plans to tape comedy sets at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, for a stand-up comedy series set to debut in 2019.
While the actual festival will take place between July 11th and July 29th, 2018 participating Canadian comedians — including Adib Alkhalidey, Dave Merheje and Deanne Smith — will be taped at between July 24th and July 29th.
According to a July 10th, 2018 media release, this investment is part of the $500 million Netflix Canada venture announced in September 2017.
In total, Netflix plans on assembling a roster of 47 comedians from 13 regions to perform a collection of half-hour stand-up sets.
Sets will also be taped in Brazil, Mexico, India, Germany and the Netherlands. All episodes will be released at once.
“Few things are better than discovering a new comedian you love,” said Lisa Nishimura, vice president of original documentary and comedy content at Netflix, in the same July 10th media release.
“With this event, we’re creating a true comedy festival experience for our members where they can scour the globe from home to find some of the freshest voices in comedy.”
As a result of the series’ diverse cast of comedians, episodes will be taped in seven languages — French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Dutch, German and English.
Netflix Canada is a partnership between Canada’s federal government and Netflix.
Netflix is expected to invest $500 million CAD in original Canadian productions over the next five years.
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