The new investment requirements for streaming services in France are set to be subject to a legal review. Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ have lodged an appeal against the stricter regulations with the French Council of State. The case could have implications for European media policy beyond France.
The three major international streaming platforms are opposing an extension of the French investment obligations, which came into force at the start of 2026. This is based on an amendment to the so-called SMAD Decree, which governs the contribution of streaming services to the financing of the French film and audiovisual industry.
The new regulations have introduced an additional sub-quota: in future, a proportion of the platforms’ investments must be channelled specifically into certain areas such as animation, documentaries and performing arts productions. Netflix regards this as a disproportionate restriction on its own programming and investment decisions and has therefore taken legal action. According to French media reports, Prime Video and Disney+ have also joined the proceedings.
Netflix argues that the new regulations would lead to greater state control over programming decisions and could limit the platforms’ ability to respond flexibly to viewers’ interests and creative developments. Furthermore, the company criticises the unequal treatment compared with traditional broadcasters, who are not subject to the same additional obligations.
At the same time, the streaming provider emphasises its importance as an investor in the French production market. According to Netflix, the company invests more than 250 million euros annually in French films, series and documentaries. Since entering the French market in 2014, numerous local productions have been created which, according to the company, have provided a significant economic boost to the French creative industry.
The debate touches on a key issue in European media policy: how far should regulation go to safeguard national production centres and cultural diversity without restricting the economic and creative flexibility of international platforms?
The French case is therefore likely to be closely monitored in Germany as well. Here, too, there is discussion about streaming services making a greater contribution to the funding of domestic productions. A ruling by the French Council of State could provide key arguments for the further development of European streaming regulation.