Netflix isn’t one to shy away from new ideas. At just about any time, the service is testing new options and services around the world, many of which gradually get a universal release. Just recently however, the companyis interested in trying an old idea, ‘Linear Channels.’ Basically Netflix is trying to be more like regular TV, but for now it’ll only be available in France.
RELATED:Food Network Parent Company Joining the Streaming Wars in December
It’s an interesting move from Netflix, especially due to the fact that the company is facing some significant scrutiny in France. In summary, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive is an EU framework that is coordinating and setting out new legislation related to audiovisual media production. Of particular note is a guideline that requests content publishers have at least 30% of their content be European made. France plans to make this guideline into law with a 25% minimum, with another portion of that 25% being specifically French productions. Netflix has argued against this law, arguing that it is outdated and will force them to homogenize their content in France.
France’s audiovisual union and animation union, USPA and Animfrance, published a rebuttal to Netflix’s complaint entitled “Netflix, Proponent of Decline!” The unions argued that France’s media industry is big enough to sustain the law, and will not meaningfully increase expenses. They also argued that Netflix’slarge budgets and global influencemeans that their French-facing services will not be overwhelmed by French content. If the law goes into effect, violators will be hit with significant fines, according to France’s Minister of Culture. Everything is still very uncertain, but the coinciding of this new law and Netflix’s experiment in France does raise the question of how the company will handle the new requirements, and whether this new “Direct” service might help them reach that minimum threshold.
