Controversial Matchmaking Show Helps Netflix in Battle for India
- Series about arranged marriages lures viewers, draws flak
- Streaming giant seeks to use local content for wider audience
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Netflix Inc. has hit the sweet spot with a controversial reality series on a jet-setting Indian matchmaker helping her picky clients find life partners, in a boost to the streaming giant’s efforts to produce local content for subscribers in new markets.
“Indian Matchmaking,” which debuted last week, touches on the centuries-old custom of arranged marriages, in which families, friends or matchmakers bring together eligibles -- unlike the popular Western reality shows like “Bachelor” or “Love is Blind.” The show features Sima Taparia -- the match arranger -- roping in astrologers, face readers and marriage coaches to accomplish her mission.