Remember, just a few days ago, we learned that Disney plans to invest more in French cinema by going so far as to quadruple its funding. This initiative could allow it to benefit from a more favorable media timeline with the possibility of broadcasting films on its streaming service new, or even six months after their theatrical release.
And precisely, this prospect does not seem to enchant the major French producers of television programs, as our colleagues from the Echoes. Thus, the six main audiovisual producers’ unions wrote a letter addressed to the president of Arcom, Roch-Olivier Maistre.
Producers are mobilizing
The signatories believe in particular that the current discussions could have “disastrous consequences” for French audiovisual productions, citing those of animation. They also report the stop “very likely” of two of the four cable-satellite channels of the big-eared firm.
In detail, the producers point out a “brutal and radical reversal” of the way in which Disney+ divides its investments between feature films and television productions. They believe that the distribution envisaged by the entertainment giant is 80% for films and 20% for audiovisual creations, while it is currently the opposite.
A 50/50 deal in sight?
As the economic daily points out, it is up to Arcom to determine this distribution based on the so-called SMAD decree. For their part, the signatories of the letter wish to find a balanced solution with a 50/50 distribution. Our colleagues also point out that everyone could find their way there, because these production houses often have activities shared between cinema and audiovisual creations.
In any case, this matter is far from being concluded and discussions will continue. For their part, these major players in the French audiovisual sector wanted to make their position known to Arcom and Disney and they are showing their firmness.
If you would like to know more about the issue of media chronology and the motivations for Disney+ in France, we invite you to reread our very comprehensive article on this subject here.
What to remember:
- Disney would like to review the media chronology in France
- This idea does not enchant audiovisual producers
- They fear that this will harm the financing of productions on the small window
