France cuts Netflix film wait to 15 months under new accord
France is implementing a significant overhaul of its media chronology on February 10, following a new three-year accord signed by the Ministry of Culture. This agreement reduces the theatrical release window for streaming platforms to 15-17 months, down from 36 months, with the exact window depending on investment in local content. Netflix secured a 15-month window due to a reported €190m annual investment in French content, while Canal+ will now wait only six months before showing premium film content.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix got a 15-month window in exchange for a reported €190m annual investment in French film and TV content.
- Disney+ and Amazon remain on the 17-month window unless they sign the separate media chronology and add local content pledges.
- Canal+ now waits six months for premium film content, down from eight months under the previous chronology.
- Free-to-air broadcasters keep the 22-month window after theatrical release.
- Streaming platforms must devote 20% of their turnover in France to French and European series, films and non-fiction programming under the EU directive transposition.
Why It Matters
France has materially shortened the path from theatrical release to streaming for platforms that invest in local content, reducing the old 36-month gap to 15-17 months. That change reorders the market around French spending commitments: Netflix secured 15 months, Canal+ got six, and Disney+ and Amazon are left at 17 months unless they join the separate accord. The same deal also aligns with France’s EU directive transposition and its 20% local-content obligation. The next concrete signal is whether Netflix uses the 15-month window to bring prestige titles into French theaters before streaming, especially around Cannes.
Read full article at screendaily.com
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