Streaming platforms become patrons. Netflix, Disney+ and the Amazon Prime Video platform contributed 362 million euros to French audiovisual and cinematographic production in 2023, by virtue of their financing obligations for three years, according to a report revealed by Arcom and the CNC on Tuesday.
Streaming war: Netflix widens the gap, the markets applaud
As a reminder, since the entry into force of a decree to this effect in July 2021, transposing a European directive, the largest foreign subscription video services are subject to the same rules for contributing to the financing of French creation as groups traditional television channels (TF1, France Télévisions, Canal+, etc.), established in France.
Concretely, they must devote 20% of their turnover in France to financing the production of audiovisual works (series, fiction, live shows, theater, etc.) and cinematographic works, for a total estimated at the time of the reform between 250 and 300 million euros per year.
An amount that increases every year
In 2022, the first full year of application of these obligations, the contribution of the three American platforms Prime Video, Disney+ and Netflix had reached 342 million euros, after 162 million euros in 2021, recall Arcom, the regulatory authority audiovisual, and the National Cinema Center. In 2023, the 362 million euros spent are shared between 283 million for audiovisual production, and 79 million for cinematographic production.
Giant Netflix raided in Paris and Amsterdam
The share paid by each platform is not published due to business secrecy, but Netflix remained the largest contributor. The group claims to have invested “ 250 million euros » in 2023 in French production, including “ 50 million in cinema “. Note that at the same time, its French subsidiary in Paris and its European headquarters in Amsterdam were the subject of searches at the beginning of November as part of an investigation into suspicions of tax fraud and hidden work.
Arcom and the CNC satisfied
It remains that in the eyes of Arcom and the CNC, the three publishers Prime Video, Disney+ and Netflix “ generally respected their obligations » for three years, and thus contribute around 20% to the compulsory financing of audiovisual and cinematographic production, compared to 80% for traditional TV channels.
TNT: Arcom plans to regroup news channels
During a press conference, the president of Arcom Roch-Olivier Maistre welcomed a “ harmonious integration » from these streaming giants « to our model ”, even if the European directive is “ here and there attacked “. The interim boss of the CNC, Olivier Henrard, noted that “ regulation does not scare away platforms ».
For the 2024 financial year, two news, Crunchyroll (acquired by Sony in 2021) and Apple TV+, are subject to these financing obligations. Max, launched in France in June, could also quickly be affected.
Netflix partners with TF1 for a new series
The free channel TF1 and the subscription video streaming giant Netflix have agreed to produce and broadcast a new daily series, “ Everything for the light », in spring 2025, according to information from the two groups at Figaro Monday.
The partnership involves the broadcast of 90 episodes, each lasting around twenty minutes, which will immerse the public in the life of an artistic training center in La Ciotat, in the south of France. “ We will offer subscribers a new broadcast, daily and exclusively, five days before TF1 », indicated Pauline Dauvin, vice-president in charge of content at Netflix France.
The two groups have already collaborated in other forms, as early as 2016 when TF1 broadcast the first two episodes of “ Marseille », the first European series from Netflix, for which it had purchased the rights.
(With AFP)
