Streaming services including Netflix and Amazon seem certain to be brought under European quotas that would require their libraries to feature at least 30 per cent of local content.
Speaking to Variety at the Venice Film Festival, Roberto Viola, who runs the Communication, Networks, Content and Technology Directorate at the European Commission, said rules giving prominence to European content are set to be made law in December.
“We just need the final vote, but it’s a mere formality,” he said, adding that next month will see the publication of statistics detailing the amount of international content already available. Viola admitted the tables would have no value in law, but would provide a guide to regulators.
Separate legislation is already under consideration to ensure other digital networks such as Netflix pay a greater share of revenues to authors.
The move will be welcomed by Canal Plus, amongst others, which is already required under French law to invest 12.5% of its annual turnover on the pre-sale of French-originated content.
