French authorities have decreed that Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming services must spend at least 25% of their French revenues on local content. 80 percent of each platform’s respective investment will be used to make French TV movies, documentaries, and shows (more Emily in Paris, Lupin?). The theatrical release of movies will receive the remaining fourth to five percent or five percent of French revenues.This country is the first member of the European Union to implement new streaming rules as part of the European Commission's Audiovisual Media Services Directive. This framework is intended to increase parity among streaming platforms and other broadcasters across the EU.Streaming platforms were prohibited from adding theatrically released movies to their French libraries for three years. The services will have access to movies within 12 months after their release date if they spend 25% of their French revenues on local content. They will need to wait at most one year before adding theatrical releases if they choose the minimum investment of 20%.There is an incentive for platforms and distributors to invest 25 percent of their revenue. Disney+ might be attracted to this route, so that it can stream Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel movies in France much faster.Variety reports that Netflix plans to reinvest 20% of its French revenues in local content. It hopes to secure a 12-month window to show theatrical movies. Because of the three-year cinema rule, the company has not shown its films at Cannes Film Festival in years.Since years, the EU has worked to ensure that streaming platforms include a substantial amount of local content. Other countries have also attempted to encourage streaming services to invest in local productions.
