No Sinterklaas shows on Netflix this year: report

Netflix seems to be avoiding the controversy around Sinterklaas and his helper Zwarte Piet this year. No Sinterklaas shows are available on the streaming service this year, according to the Telegraaf.

Sinterklaas shows and films did appear on Netflix in the past. Responding to disappointed customers on social media, Netflix said that the content was removed because the agreements with the distributors have expired, according to the newspaper.

Ludolph Wentholt of Entertainment One Nederland told the Telegraaf that Netflix did not approach them this year for any Sinterklaas films. EOne owns Sinterklaas en de verdwenen pakjesboot and Sinterklaas en het geheim van het grote boek, among others. "In the past they also took Sinterklaas films from us. I have no idea why this time they didn't, but if it is up to us they can broadcast them. Gladly even", Wentholt said.

Users think that the disappearance of Sinterklaas films on Netflix has to do with the controversy around Zwarte Piet, considered a valuable tradition by some and a racist and stereotypical symbol of slavery by others. Netflix did not respond to the Telegraaf's questions about it.