top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Two-year wait for films on VOD

Culture minister unveils plans to cut delay between cinema and TV premieres in France from three years

TWO MONTHS ahead of Netflix’s launch in France, culture minister Aurelie Filippetti has said she wants to cut the delay between a movie’s cinema release and its Video on Demand (VoD) premiere - but only for broadcasters that contribute to the French film industry.

The decision is a blow to the online TV giant.

Under current French law, VoD companies are prevented from streaming films until three years after their cinema release, and also have to hand over 15% of revenues to the European film industry and 12% to French filmmakers.

By setting up the base of its French operation in Luxembourg, Netflix avoided this levy.

But Ms Filippetti’s proposal - which effectively creates “a strategy of cultural and digital sovereignty of France” - looks set to favour Netflix’s competition in France, which is set to grow in the near future.

The existing Canal Play service, for example, will be joined shortly by French supermarket chain Leclerc, while Orange too is reportedly set to launch its own service.

In an interview with Le Figaro, Ms Filippetti said that she was prepared to cut the current lag between theatrical release and TV release from three years to two - but only to "services involved in the funding and the exposure of French and European works”.

She said: “Since 2009, the practices and the competitive environment has evolved considerably. It is time to reflect and give new impetus to our cultural industries, while promoting legal online offerings.”

The news comes as Netflix revealed it was preparing for massive interest when it launches in France in September.

Photo: MoneyBlog

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*
Featured Help Guide
- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened
Get news, views and information from France