On January 30, Disney+ announced that it had entered into two agreements with film and audiovisual organizations. The company with the big ears committed to investing 25% of its annual net revenue generated in France in financing European and French audiovisual works. The platform promised to "invest over three years in purchasing and pre-purchasing, in cinematographic creation and in finance a minimum of 70 films over this period.
In exchange, the company, which until now had a 17-month window within the 2022 media timeline, was given the right to broadcast its theatrically released productions after only nine months. These new terms are already in effect and should allow Disney+ to add Deadpool & Wolverine, the penultimate Marvel production in theaters, to its catalog as early as next April. A great move for the company, which had been fiercely opposed to French legislation until now.
The response is being organized
This emergence, just behind Canal+ in the media timeline, did not please the leading financier of French cinema, and in particular its CEO, Maxime Saada. He published an opinion piece in Le Monde last February, arguing that the French model threatened to“collapse&strong> under the blows dealt to its three pillars”. The threat of lower investment had been raised, with Canal+ estimating that its annual investments of 220 million could not compete with the “115 million” euros invested over three years by Disney+ according to the French group. These figures have not been confirmed.
At the beginning of March, Canal+ signed an agreement to invest at least 480 million until 2027. A decrease compared to previous years that should bring its annual investment to 150 million euros in 2025 and 160 and 170 million in 2026 and 2027. But the Disney+ operation did not upset Canal+, Netflix and Prime Video, who are preparing a response, according to information from La Correspondance de la presse, relayed by Alloforfait.
Netflix and Prime Video join the dance
Netflix and Prime Video negotiations have also reportedly begun. The two platforms are seeking a 12- and 15-month window. The red N benefited from preferential treatment linked to its largest investment since 2022. It is now aiming for a 365-day deadline. For its part, the e-commerce giant hopes to see its 17-month window reduced by five months to a year. If such an agreement were to be signed, Canal+ would only have a six-month lead over its main rivals.
Unlike Disney+, the two entities are not relying on their own creations as part of this agreement. If Disney+ wants to be able to offer its Pixar, Disney Animation, and Marvel films in just nine months, Netflix and Prime Video should instead focus on acquisitions, as part of the partnership with Sony Pictures for the Red N or Amazon MGM productions in the second. Note that M6 is also in negotiations.
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