Audiovisual Monroeism: The reconstruction and content production of the Latin American film and television industry in the streaming era

Since the early 21st century, U.S. companies, led by Netflix, have expanded internationally in digital film and television production and distribution. Streaming platforms have driven the global industry’s digital transformation, reshaping its structure, communication logic, content strategies, and viewing habits. Latin America was the first overseas target due to geopolitical and cultural factors. In this expansion, platforms shifted from distributing third-party content to integrating production and distribution, creating comprehensive audiovisual hubs. Partnerships with local companies advanced vertical integration and provided a model later applied worldwide. At the same time, local streaming services remained weak, exposing structural imbalances. This dynamic not only reconfigured the Latin American industry but also illustrated the growing cultural dominance of U.S. platforms. The process reflects a broader geopolitical trend scholars term “audiovisual Monroeism,” through which American streaming services consolidate influence via content and distribution, extending a new form of cultural hegemony in the digital era.