Netflix Dubbing : Everything You Need to Know

‍Dubbing has played a pivotal role in Netflix's success across diverse markets.

From blockbuster series like “Money Heist” to viral sensations like “Squid Game,”  

In this article, you'll see how dubbing helps Netflix bring diverse stories to millions of households worldwide, the impressive results they have achieved, and the process that makes it all happen.

The Growing Importance of Dubbing for Netflix

Dubbing has become an essential part of Netflix’s global strategy, driven by the platform's goal to provide content accessible to audiences around the world. With Netflix available in over 190 countries, localization through dubbing is crucial to reaching non-English speaking markets. Statistics show that more than 70% of Netflix’s subscribers are from outside the United States, and this global audience expects content in their own language.

Recent reports highlight that Netflix invested $1 billion in content localization, including dubbing and subtitling, in a single year. This investment shows just how seriously Netflix takes language accessibility, knowing that effective dubbing can help them win over new audiences. In fact, a Netflix survey revealed that nearly 50% of non-English speaking viewers prefer dubbed versions of popular shows over subtitled ones, particularly for genres like action, drama, and animation where visuals and emotions play a significant role.

One of the most compelling statistics comes from the success of shows like “Money Heist” and “Squid Game.” “Money Heist” became one of the most-watched series globally after being dubbed into multiple languages, resulting in over 180 million viewing hours in just one month after its release. Similarly, “Squid Game,” which was dubbed in over 30 languages, quickly became the platform's most-watched show, highlighting how effective dubbing can transform regional content into an international phenomenon.

Another interesting statistic is that Netflix now offers dubbing in over 34 languages, which includes both mainstream languages like Spanish, French, and German, as well as less common ones like Hungarian, Hebrew, and Finnish.

The Most Remarkable Examples of Dubbing on Netflix

Netflix has had remarkable success with its dubbed content, allowing shows from different regions to gain global popularity and acclaim :

Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) is one of Netflix’s most iconic examples of successful dubbing. Originally produced in Spanish, this heist drama became an international hit after being dubbed into multiple languages, including English, French, German, and Italian. The dubbing played a major role in making the characters’ emotions, humor, and intensity accessible to viewers worldwide.

Squid Game, a South Korean drama, took the world by storm, becoming the most-watched series on Netflix with over 1.65 billion hours viewed in its first four weeks. The show was dubbed into more than 30 languages, allowing audiences from different regions to follow its thrilling plot without the need for subtitles. The quality of the dubbing helped maintain the emotional impact of the original dialogue, which was crucial for a show as emotionally intense as “Squid Game.” Many viewers praised the authenticity of the dubbed voices, noting that they were able to connect deeply with the characters despite not understanding the original language.

Dark, a German science-fiction thriller, also stands out as an excellent example of Netflix’s dubbing efforts. Dubbed in several languages, “Dark” managed to captivate audiences with its complex storyline and intricate character relationships.

What the Dubbing Process Looks Like at Netflix

The dubbing process at Netflix is both meticulous and highly coordinated, ensuring that the final product maintains the same quality, emotion, and impact as the original version.

1. Selecting a qualified dubbing studio, typically one of Netflix’s trusted partners from their Netflix Post Partner Program (NP3). Once the studio is chosen, the localization process begins with translating the script. Translators not only convert the language but also adapt the dialogue to maintain cultural relevance, humor, and emotional nuances that will resonate with the new audience.
2. The casting phase. Netflix takes great care in selecting voice actors whose voices match the original characters in tone, age, and personality. This is particularly important to ensure that the voice conveys the same emotional impact as the original performance. The casting process involves collaboration between Netflix, the dubbing studio, and experienced directors to find the right match for each role.
3. Voice recording process. Voice actors work in soundproof recording studios, using high-quality microphones to record the dubbed dialogue. Directors are present to guide the actors, ensuring their performances match the pacing, timing, and emotional cues of the original scenes. Synchronizing the voice with the character's lip movements, known as lip-syncing, is a key aspect of the recording process and can often be the most time-consuming part.
4. Editing and mixing. Sound engineers synchronize the dubbed audio with the video footage, adjust sound levels, and integrate the new voice tracks with the original background sounds, music, and special effects.
5. Quality control checks. This includes reviewing the synchronization, ensuring the accuracy of the translation, and confirming that the audio quality meets Netflix’s high standards. Once all aspects are approved, the dubbed version is ready to be released to audiences worldwide.

What Are Netflix Dubbing Partners

Netflix's partner network, known as the Netflix Post Partner Program (NP3), plays a critical role in bringing global stories to local audiences.

Netflix's dubbing partners include a mix of well-established dubbing houses, such as VSI Group, SDI Media, and ZOO Digital. These companies have extensive experience in localization and have worked on some of Netflix’s most popular international hits.

The process of becoming a Netflix dubbing partner is highly selective. Partners must demonstrate an ability to meet Netflix’s strict quality benchmarks, which include audio synchronization, script accuracy, and voice acting that matches the tone and emotional intent of the original performance. Netflix conducts regular audits to ensure that its dubbing partners are maintaining these standards, which helps maintain the consistency that viewers have come to expect from the platform.

Another key element of Netflix's approach is its commitment to innovation in dubbing. The company has been at the forefront of utilizing advanced technologies like remote recording and cloud-based collaboration, which have been adopted by its partners to streamline the dubbing process. This has enabled Netflix to meet the growing demand for localized content more efficiently, ensuring that audiences get access to dubbed versions of new releases as soon as possible.

Media, TV, and Movie AI Dubbing: Checksub

Checksub is a cutting-edge platform that offers AI-driven dubbing tools designed to make the dubbing process faster, more efficient, and highly cost-effective :

• ‍AI Dubbing and Realistic Voices: Checksub uses advanced AI to generate highly realistic dubbing voices, which can either clone the original voice or create entirely new ones that fit the character perfectly. These AI-generated voices are capable of replicating accents, emotions, and subtle nuances, making them sound as natural as possible. This feature allows content creators to produce high-quality dubbed content without the time-consuming process of casting and recording multiple voice actors, making it especially helpful for projects that need to be completed quickly or on a budget.‍
• Real-Time Dubbing Editor: One of Checksub’s standout features is its real-time dubbing editor, which allows users to make changes directly on the video or audio interface. This means you can modify the transcript, adjust the translation, or tweak synchronization as you see fit, all while previewing the changes instantly. This tool also provides the ability to isolate the voice from the background, giving content creators more control over the final sound quality. The flexibility of this real-time editor makes it easy to create polished, professional-quality dubs without spending countless hours in post-production.‍
• Collaborative Platform: Checksub is designed with collaboration in mind, making it an excellent choice for larger teams or businesses. The platform allows multiple users to work on the same dubbing project simultaneously, making the process more efficient and ensuring that feedback is incorporated in real-time. This collaborative feature is particularly useful for projects involving multiple stakeholders, as it helps keep everyone aligned throughout the dubbing process.‍
• Subtitle Generator: Beyond dubbing, Checksub also offers a powerful subtitle generator. This feature automatically creates customized, well-styled subtitles that align with the tone and style of the content. Subtitles can be edited to ensure accuracy, enhancing viewer engagement and accessibility.

Want to streamline the dubbing process while maintaining a high level of quality ? Try Checksub for free.