The fifth version of the framework of media timeline has been signed this Monday, January 24, 2022 at the Ministry of Culture by 28 film professionals. It must come into force next February 10. Canal+ grabs two months, but the showdown with the streaming platforms is certainly not over.
Canal+ will now be able to broadcast a film 6 months after its cinema release
The objective of this text is to regulate, for three years, the exclusivity of films according to the media, that is to say in what order and according to what deadlines cinematographic works can be exploited after their theatrical release. The chronology of the media therefore consists in determining “a release schedule” cinematographic works after going to the cinema. The signatories of this fifth version have made a gesture towards Canal+ and Netflix.
State of play of community management in France in 2021
After announcing a new investment of 190 million per year in French cinema, the encrypted channel is rewarded by obtaining a shortened time to broadcast a film after its release in theaters. From February 10, 2022, Canal+ will be able to broadcast the films it finances only 6 months after their cinema release. Until now, Canal+ had to wait 8 months. Here are two precious months gained to exist against the giants of streaming.
An easily circumvented media chronology?
“France is the dinosaur of the market”, according to Caroline Lang, the general manager of Warner Bros Television France. It must be said that the major streaming platforms (including HBOMax) are clearly disadvantaged in this new version of the framing of the media chronology. Prime Video, Disney + and HBOMax will have to wait 17 months to broadcast films released in theaters… Only Netflix gets a shortened period of 15 months.
In exchange, the streaming service has promised to invest between 20 and 30 million euros per year in French cinema, and more precisely “finance lower budget films”. In comparison with its direct competitors, Netflix will therefore be one step ahead. In reality, these delays do not mean much. Streaming platforms can quite easily circumvent the rules. It is enough for them not to release a film in the cinemaand to offer it directly on the web… Which has already happened on Disney+ in 2020.