Netflix plans second season of 'XO, Kitty' as branding ties pay off
The Hindu
The ‘XO, Kitty’ brand has a partnership with Sanrio, a Japanese entertainment company, and American fashion retailer Forever 21 for a clothing line
The Netflix romantic comedy "XO, Kitty" is returning for a second season, becoming the streaming service's first television series to be spun-off from an original Netflix film, the "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" movie trilogy. Netflix's "Bridgerton" Regency period drama series has also spawned a spin-off, the "Queen Charlotte" prequel which became one of the platform's most popular series after its debut in May.
The "To All the Boys" and "Bridgerton" franchises reflect Netflix's objective to expand brands to create content across film, television, games and consumer products, with greater diversity in casting.
"XO, Kitty" has a Korean lead character and "Queen Charlotte" features a Black actor in the title role.
As Netflix's growth has slowed, the service has begun developing franchises for more revenue from original programs. The 2016 science fiction series "Stranger Things" was its first successful entertainment franchise, with related merchandise and plans for a spin-off series and a stage play. "Bridgerton," adapted from Julia Quinn's book series, has inspired a merchandise line in partnership with tea retailer Republic of Tea that includes wedding products. A book inspired by the Queen Charlotte character, penned by Quinn and the show's creator, Shonda Rhimes, cracked the New York Times bestseller list.
Netflix also has live immersive experiences, including "The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience." The pop-up exhibition in different cities allows fans to experience the Regency London portrayed in the series.
The "XO, Kitty" brand has a partnership with Sanrio, a Japanese entertainment company, and American fashion retailer Forever 21 for a clothing line.
While residents are worried over deaths due to diarrhoea in Vijayawada, officials still grapple to find the root cause. Contaminated drinking water supplied by VMC officials is the reason, insist people in the affected areas, but officials insist that efforts are on to identify the disease and that those with symptoms other than diarrhoea too are visiting the health camps.