Netflix still does not say it is satisfied with the new media chronology signed at the start of 2022. This even though the platform has obtained the right to broadcast films 15 months after their theatrical release, against 36 previously.
It seems that Netflix wants to play arm wrestling once again with the Government. During a meeting organized by the Association of Media Journalists (AJM), Damien Bernet, director of development for Netflix in France, strongly criticized the current media chronology.
A revised media timeline that goes along with Netflix
As a reminder, the media chronology is a rule that imposes a minimum broadcast schedule for the broadcast of a film according to the media. A film must first be released in cinemas, then on VOD/DVD/Blu-Ray, then on television channels and on SVoD services. An agreement with the Government was previously under negotiation between all these parties, and was signed a few months ago. Netflix emerged a priori as the big winner and saw its period reduced from 36 to 15 months. A rather convincing change, the three-year waiting period could indeed seem anachronistic from the point of view of the film industry, especially since it is a French exception.
A victory which implies for the platform to finance French cinema. Netflix had then committed to producing ” small movies» between 3 and 4 million euros each time, for a commitment of 40 million euros per year. This new media timeline came into effect on February 10, 2022.
Netflix wants to renegotiate just months after signing
This Tuesday, January 28, Damien Bernet declared to the AJM that “This timeline cannot hold. It does not correspond to usage. The public needs to have the contents quickly. Putting them on a shelf or in the fridge for 15 months makes no sense today. And that doesn’t help the movies. All it generates is hacking “.
To support his explanation, he speaks of the French exception, saying that “we are willing to pay more per film if the window is shortened” and “worldwide, the release window for films on platforms is generally set at 45 days“. Apparently the grass is greener elsewhere for Netflix. However, he says he is open to discussions saying “ready to put a lot more money into the production of a French film if we could then have a window more consistent with the demand of our subscribers“. As Anne-Gabrielle Dauba-Pantanacce, director of communications at Netflix and present at this meeting, reminds us, “theatrical release is not the heart of our business“.
For Damien Bernet, Development Director of #Netflix in France, “The current media chronology cannot hold. It does not correspond to usage. We are prepared to pay more film by film if the window is shortened. Abroad, it is 45 days. » @Point #AJM pic.twitter.com/pNeMqzrBCp
— Olivier Ubertalli (@oubertalli) June 28, 2022
Damien Bernet announces that he wants to renegotiatefrom September“, for an application in January 2023. This while at the time of the signature, the Minister of Culture at the time Roselyne Bachelot “had estimated that the discussions could be reopened in January 2023“, notedLe Figaro.
Netflix invests in French cinema
Le Figarogoes on to say that Netflix is of definite interest to the French market. The newspaper states that “the American group could broadcast 25 French works (series, documentaries and feature films) this year on its platform and 20 others are in development“. All for an envelope of 200 million euros, “i.e. more than the production obligations imposed by the decree on on-demand audiovisual media services“. So, real interest in the French market or desire to seduce public authorities… difficult to say.
“Netflix”does not object to theatrical release, in particular for festivals and previews» and announces its presence at the next Venice festival, reports Olivier Ubertalli.
The SVoD service is also in the process of reviewing its formula and has confirmed the arrival of advertisements. Netflix also wants to end account sharing to avoid the loss of subscribers it is currently experiencing.
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