Gulf Arab countries on Tuesday asked Netflix to remove “offensive” content on the streaming service, apparently targeting programmes that show people who are gay and lesbian.

A joint statement issued on behalf of a committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council made the request, saying the unspecified programmes contradict Islamic and societal values and principles.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates each published the statement via their respective governments as well. They, along with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, make up the six-nation council.

While the statement did not elaborate on the “offensive programmes”, Saudi state television also aired the interview of a woman identified as a behavioural consultant, who described Netflix as being an official sponsor of homosexuality. At the same time, it aired scenes from an Netflix animated series — Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous — in which two women kissed, though the footage was blurred out.

Saudi state television also aired a segment, suggesting that Netflix could be banned in the kingdom over that programme reaching children.

The move comes after countries in the Muslim world in June banned the public showing of Disney’s latest animated film Lightyear over a brief moment showing two lesbian characters kissing. The move also comes as regional streaming services try to eat into Netflix's revenue, including the Shahid service operated by the Saudi-owned MBC Group.

The Saudi government is believed to hold a controlling stake in MBC Group after a series of arrests in 2017, ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over corruption allegations that saw him centralise power in the kingdom.

Netflix, based in California, US, did not respond to requests for comments on Tuesday.