News General

Netflix to sponsor Rome Christmas tree again

By: Wanted in Rome

Date:

17 Sep, 2019

Netflix brings Christmas cheer to Rome for the second time.

American media-services provider Netflix is to sponsor Rome's 2019 Christmas tree, for the second consecutive year, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

The move, which followed an appeal for a private sponsor of this year's Christmas tree, was ratified by the city in recent days. Netflix was announced as the winner of the tender after the envelope containing the only offer of sponsorship - according to La Repubblica - was opened at city hall.

Last year's Netflix-sponsored Christmas tree was a success and came a year after a specimen so miserable-looking that it was nicknamed Spelacchio on account of its "manginess."

Spelacchio drew negative commentary from around the world but eventually won the sympathy and affection of Romans who covered the increasingly threadbare tree with hand-written messages, alternating between love, irony and condolences.

The renewed sponsorhip sees Netflix strengthen its links with Rome after it filmed the hit series and movie Suburra in the capital.