France's new streaming quota law pits regulators against Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video

France has amended its audiovisual media services decree to require foreign streaming platforms to invest at least 20 % of their French revenues in local content – 16 % in audiovisual productions and 4 % in cinema – with an additional 20 % of those investment funds, from 2026, earmarked for animation, documentary and live‑event projects. Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon’s Prime Video have each lodged legal challenges, arguing that the rules "go too far" and impose editorial constraints that do not apply to traditional broadcasters. Netflix France’s vice‑president said the regulation "suddenly doubles" platform investment duties and threatens programming freedom.

Netflix asserts it already invests over €250 million annually in French productions, contributing more than €2 billion since its 2014 launch, while Prime Video faces a new minimum commitment of €90‑110 million for French‑language audiovisual works. French regulator Arcom and the European Commission are monitoring the dispute, which could influence similar investment obligations under the EU’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive in other member states.