Netflix announces $100 million fund for ‘out-of-work crew and cast’
Netflix had already agreed to pay workers two weeks’ worth of wages.
Streaming giant Netflix has set up a $100m fund to help the film and television industry amid coronavirus outbreak.
The majority of funds will go towards those affected by the collapse of Netflix's own productions, such as season two of The Witcher which was shut down when the actor Kristofer Hivju tested positive for the virus, according to reports by The Guardian.
"The Covid-19 crisis is devastating for many industries, including the creative community," Ted Sarandos, the chief content officer, said in a statement. "Almost all television and film production has now ceased globally – leaving hundreds of thousands of crew and cast without jobs. These include electricians, carpenters and drivers, many of whom are paid hourly wages and work on a project-to-project basis. This community has supported Netflix through the good times, and we want to help them through these hard times, especially while governments are still figuring out what economic support they will provide."
As well as the announced fund, Netflix had already agreed to pay workers two weeks' worth of wages.
The company will also offer $15m to not-for-profits that offer emergency relief to out-of-work cast and crew members in countries where they have major productions.