Netflix Gets Reality Check From Byron Bay Residents Opposing New Show
By Carly Mayberry
On 4/19/21 at 8:06 PM EDT
The reality show
Byron Baes, featuring social media influencers in a pristine coastal town, has caused chaos among the town s residents. Locals have started a petition signed by more than 6,000 people against the show being shot in the town. In addition, a protest paddle-out has been scheduled for April 20 via the town s Byron Bay Community Board page on Facebook.
Locals, including musician and owner of The Byron Bay General Store Ben Gordon, remain dead set against a multinational company that is trying to exploit the town s name when the community doesn t want it. Some area businesses, like the Byron Bay Café and local clothing stores, have refused to sign filming permits, keeping producers from recording footage on the premises.
Protesting against Byron Baes giving Netflix show free publicity, expert says
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A woman holds a sign at this morning s protest.
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People protesting Netflix s new reality series Byron Baes are actually creating free publicity for the streaming giant, who will be loving the attention, a leading marketing expert says.
In the latest show of opposition to the series, surfers in Byron Bay the NSW tourist hot-spot where the show is based took part in a protest-paddle this morning.
Netflix says the show is a docu-soap and a love letter to Byron Bay which will follow the lives of hot Instagrammers and their fights, flings and heartbreak in the coastal town.
Some business owners in Byron Bay have taken a stand against the upcoming Netflix series ‘Byron Baes’ by refusing to allow production crew to film in their venues.
“We have huge environmental issues, huge social issues here,” Kay said. “I don’t want these influencers coming here and painting this fantasy picture that all is well in Byron Bay. It isn’t.” The comedian Mandy Nolan, who has lived in Byron for 30 years and is running as the Greens candidate in the federal seat of Richmond, echoed concerns that the show would paper over the housing crisis that the town is now facing.
“Most of our friends, so many people that we know, have nowhere to live right now,” Nolan said. “They don’t really feel like you rolling into town telling a fantasy story that doesn’t exist.”
âTheyâve got a big fight on their handsâ: US giant Netflix gets dose of reality in Byron Bay
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Byron Baeswas supposed to be one of Netflixâs most celebrated productions - a local reality show that would send a strong signal that the global streaming giant was committed to investing in Australian content. Instead, it has caused anger in one of NSWâs most famous coastal towns.
A group of locals has united to try and stop the $US242 billion ($313 billion) streaming serviceâs attempt to create its first locally-commissioned reality series and some of Byron Bayâs most popular cafes, restaurants and clothing stores are refusing to sign filming permits.