French Media Chronology: Culture Minister Appears To Suggest Windows Should Be Reduced – “There’s A Case For A More Respectful Balance”

deadline.com:

France’s Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malak appeared to suggest in a radio interview on Monday that a further softening of the country’s strict media chronology rules could be on the cards for the global platforms. “We’ve already reduced it.

It used to be 36 months,” she said in an interview on the RTL network, in answer to a question on the current 15 to 17-month, law-enshrined window between a feature film’s theatrical release and its availability via streaming. “The platform landscape continues to develop, with the arrival of HBO Max and others.

We can see there is a risk that cinemas in France will not be able to release films, the American big blockbusters, like we saw with Disney, with one of their films.

There is a case for finding a more respectful balance.” Abdul Malak suggested the platforms had a right to push for changes given they are now obliged to invest at least 20% of their French revenue in European audiovisual and feature film content, most of which must be in the French language and produced by independent producers, following the introduction of the so-called SMAD decree last year.   “In return, it’s legitimate that they’ve asked for a shortening of their release windows,” she said.