Apple TV+ has reached a landmark agreement with the French production sector, signifying a major commitment to investing in local and European content creation. This represents Apple TV+'s first-ever such agreement in France. The deal mandates that Apple TV+ will invest a substantial 20% of its preceding year's net annual turnover in the development of original productions.
This initiative aligns with the stipulations outlined in France's 2021 SMAD decree, which mandates investment quotas and media windows for all subscription-based, pay-per-view, and free VOD services operating within the country. Importantly, this agreement, spanning four years, specifically excludes cinematic releases.
In an official statement, the French media regulator Arcom acknowledged and welcomed Apple TV+'s dedication to bolstering the production of animation and documentaries. Arcom further urged other streaming platforms to follow suit, echoing similar agreements already established with Amazon and Netflix. A recent Arcom study highlighted the considerable contribution of international broadcasters to the creation of new content.