Netflix is urging the French government to reform the country’s media regulations, arguing that the current framework places an increasingly disproportionate financial burden on global streaming services. The company says its mandatory investment obligations are becoming unsustainable as traditional broadcasters reduce their own spending on French productions.
France remains one of Netflix’s biggest international markets, with more than 15 million subscribers. Over the past four years, the streaming platform has invested more than €1.7 billion in the French creative economy, helping support over 25,000 jobs while expanding its local production slate. According to Netflix, it now produces between 20 and 25 French titles each year and invested approximately € 250 million in French content during 2025.
Netflix argues that current funding obligations need reform
At the center of the dispute is France’s SMAD decree, introduced in 2021, which requires major streaming platforms to reinvest around 25% of their French revenue into local and European film and television productions. Netflix, alongside Disney+, has filed formal administrative appeals against the latest version of the decree, particularly objecting to new sub-quotas that require fixed investment levels in categories such as animation and live performances.
Netflix also wants the government to introduce a ceiling on its mandatory investment obligations. The company argues that as legacy television broadcasters continue scaling back production budgets, foreign streaming platforms are being forced to shoulder a growing share of France’s creative industry.
Speaking at a conference in Paris in May, Netflix France Vice President of Content Pauline Dauvin warned about the long-term impact of the current model.
“By 2030, the funding of French creative content could rely on foreign private operators first, while the historical players will play an increasingly diminishing role in the sector. This isn’t a sustainable model for Netflix.”
She also noted that Netflix has become “the #1 private investor of audiovisual creation and the #3 contributor to cinema” in France.
The theatrical release rules remain another sticking point
Netflix is also challenging France’s long-standing media chronology rules, which prevent the platform from streaming its own French-produced films until 15 months after their theatrical release. Netflix and Prime Video have both appealed the latest version of these release-window regulations, arguing that the system no longer reflects modern viewing habits.
In an earlier letter to French regulators, Dauvin defended Netflix’s contribution to the country’s entertainment industry while criticizing the current framework.
“Through investments in the French production industry, Netflix has contributed over 1.7 billion euros to the French creative economy and supported more than 25,000 jobs over the last four years.”
She added,
“We’re reluctantly taking a stand against an imbalanced and unfair system.”
Even as it seeks regulatory changes, Netflix continues expanding its presence in France. Earlier this year, the company integrated TF1’s live television channels and on-demand programming into the Netflix platform, a move designed to attract older audiences who still rely on traditional free-to-air television.
The debate comes as the European Commission prepares to review the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMS), a process that could influence how European countries regulate streaming platforms in the coming years. The outcome of Netflix’s appeals may shape not only France’s media terrain but also future relationships between global streaming companies and European content regulations.
