Netflix and Apple TV+ may have found the solution to bypassing the media timeline

Media chronology is a French feature first introduced in the 1980s to protect the interests of cinemas against TV channels. The idea was to impose a delay between a film’s theatrical release and its television broadcast. This measure has since been replaced with the advent of other media such as VHS, DVDs or, for several years, streaming platforms.

In February 2022, the media timeline was revised to better suit market realities. Therefore, new significantly shorter deadlines have been introduced. In this new version, Canal+ was the big winner. The encrypted channel now only needs 6 months to broadcast movies released in theaters on the air. However, to achieve this privileged position, Canal+ has committed to: invest at least 190 million euros a year in French film production.

In his name, Netflix will be able to add movies to its catalog for 15 months After its theatrical release. In return, the platform must invest between 20 and 30 million euros a year in French 7th art. For Disney +, Amazon Prime Video and even Apple TV +, the period is 17 months. As for the French free channels, they will have to wait 22 months. So if these delays are greatly reduced (from 36 months in the old version to between 15 and 17 months today), streaming platforms still see media chronology as an obstacle to overcome… Or at least to get around it.

Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+ found a way to bypass the media timeline

According to an article published by our colleagues at BFM TV, Netflix and others could find a way to avoid this specificity of French law: We present a slightly different version of the broadcast footage in theaters to add to their catalogue. This new version, which can be considered a Director’s Cut (an extended version reworked by the director) or Definitive Edition, other business visa. On paper, it would be a different movie than the one shown in theaters.

As a result, platforms will be able to offer this feature directly on their services without violating the rules set by the media chronology. According to an anonymous source close to the industry interviewed by BFM, “This method is exploitative.”“a gray area” of legislation. As a reminder, it is the CNC (National Center for Cinematic and Animated Images) that issues business visas on a case-by-case basis. To act in this way it will therefore be necessary: Platforms take care to offer a different version than the one released in theaters. “This new work should not be 10 minutes longer than the original or simply a desire to transcend media chronology. explains the source.

Also read: Netflix says media timeline encourages piracy

A risky maneuver in danger of alienating rooms

For now, no streaming platform has dared to take this risk, especially for fear of being triggered. Great reaction from operators. According to BFM’s source, major players such as Netflix or Disney, who are highly dependent on cinemas, could not afford to take advantage of this loophole. On the other hand, ““A smaller player like Apple TV+ that isn’t a big threat to theaters could potentially do that.” Another source from one of the leaders in the publishing industry assures.

But the first rumors actually indicate that Apple brand may be the first to take action. Therefore, it will be available on Apple TV +. 4-hour version of NapoleonThe biographical film, directed by Ridley Scott, was released at the end of 2023. As a reminder, at the time of this writing, the film’s theatrical version was available for purchase and rental almost everywhere except France, due to media timelines.

Likewise, Apple can use the same process. Killers of the Moon of FlowersMartin Scorsese’s latest masterpiece. By offering a longer version with cutscenes, the American giant could add this movie, released in October 2023, to Apple TV + in France without bothering with media chronology.

Source : B.F.M.