Featured MEdia
Supply Chains

Disney+ has signed a groundbreaking three-year media chronology agreement in France, marking a significant commitment to investment in French and European film and television productions in exchange for a reduced theatrical release window.

Under this new accord, signed with French cinema guilds BLIC, BLOC, and ARP, Disney+ has pledged to invest 25% of its annual net turnover in France into local and European productions. In return, the streaming platform has secured a shorter release window, allowing its subscribers to access feature films just nine months after their theatrical debut, a notable reduction from the previous 17-month delay.

In addition to the revised release timeline, Disney+ has committed to acquiring and pre-acquiring at least 70 feature films over the three-year period, spanning a diverse range of genres and budgets. This agreement aligns with ongoing industry-wide negotiations to update France’s strict media chronology regulations, which were established in 2022 and are set to expire on February 9, 2025.

“This agreement marks a significant step forward for French audiences,” said Hélène Etzi, President of The Walt Disney Company France. “Making films accessible to as many people as possible—first in cinemas, then much sooner on the Disney+ platform—reflects evolving viewing behaviors and audience expectations. Disney remains committed to its consumers and to fostering strong collaborations with French talent and producers.”

The cinema guilds expressed their approval of the deal in a joint statement: “We are pleased that Disney+ has joined the signatories of the media chronology, reinforcing its commitment to financing and distributing films while supporting French and European creative industries. This agreement strengthens the sector and provides audiences with greater access to recent films.”

The announcement of Disney+’s agreement follows a similar move by Apple TV+, which recently signed its first-ever investment deal with French audiovisual industry bodies, committing 20% of its turnover to local and European productions. However, Apple TV+’s deal does not extend to cinema, and its theatrical release window remains unchanged at 17 months.

With this landmark agreement, Disney+ reaffirms its commitment to supporting French and European content while adapting to the evolving media landscape. This development marks a pivotal moment in France’s ongoing media chronology discussions, setting a precedent for future negotiations in the streaming and cinema sectors.