Apple TV+: More French-language series & films planned

Apple TV+ has become increasingly important in the streaming market in recent years. Now the service is taking another important step to expand its presence in Europe. A new agreement with the French government will ensure that more French-language content is produced - not only for France but also for the rest of the European Union.

Streaming services have a duty to adapt to local conditions and regulations. This is particularly important in Europe, as cultural diversity is a key concern for many countries. France has positioned itself as a pioneer here and requires international providers such as Apple TV+, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to invest in local productions. With the new agreement, Apple TV+ is sending a clear signal and showing that the service not only wants to operate globally but also promote regional content.

Apple TV+ invests 20 percent of net revenue in France

The core of the new agreement provides for Apple TV+ to invest 20 percent of its net revenue in France each year in the production of audiovisual content. This revenue comes mainly from the sale of subscriptions, but could also include income from other business areas such as the partnership with Canal+. These investments will go towards the development and production of content that can be distributed both in France and the rest of Europe, with 70 percent of the funds reserved for independent productions to support smaller, creative studios and filmmakers.

Strengthening Cultural Diversity in Europe

The agreement is in line with a 2021 French government decree that requires foreign streaming services to use part of their domestic revenues to promote French and European original content. The aim is to preserve cultural diversity and strengthen the European creative industry. France has clearly expressed its support for native language content. This means that many of the planned productions will be produced in French or at least in bilingual format. This content can also be distributed in other French-speaking countries such as Belgium, Canada, Switzerland or parts of Africa.

French production companies welcome the initiative

Apple TV+'s initiative has been welcomed by various French production and distribution groups. Organizations such as AnimFrance, SATEV, SEDPA, SPI, USPA and SACD praised the agreement, stressing that it underlines Apple TV+'s desire to become more integrated into the French regulatory system. In a joint statement, the groups stressed that the agreement not only supports the diversity and renewal of French audiovisual creation, but also helps to strengthen its influence internationally.

EU-wide impact and the role of other streaming services

Apple TV+ is not the only streaming service to have entered into similar agreements in France. Netflix and Amazon have already signed corresponding agreements. The French regulator Arcom sees these agreements as an important means of meeting the EU's 2018 requirements, which stipulate that 30 percent of a streaming service's content must be produced in the EU. The partnership between Apple TV+ and France could serve as a model for other EU countries that also aim to promote non-English content more. If this is the case, this could lead to a much more diverse offering on the various platforms in the long term.

First French-language productions from Apple TV+

Apple TV+ has already launched its first French original productions in recent years. These include the fashion drama series “La Maison”, the thriller “Liaison”, which is set in London, and the six-part miniseries “A L'ombre Des Forêts” (In the Shadow of the Forest).

In addition, Apple TV+ has also invested in European productions not filmed in French, such as the bilingual series “Now and Then”. The new agreement will allow Apple TV+ to intensify this strategy and reach a wider audience with locally produced content.

Apple TV+: A step in the right direction

The collaboration between Apple TV+ and France shows how streaming services can respond to local requirements while expanding their reach. For viewers, this means more high-quality content that not only entertains but also brings cultural peculiarities and stories from Europe closer to them. With this agreement, Apple TV+ is proving that it is ready to take on responsibility and face the challenges of the European market. The coming years will show how these investments affect Apple TV+'s offering and whether other countries will make similar agreements. For you as a viewer, it remains exciting to see which new productions will appear on Apple TV+ and what stories they will tell. One thing is clear: the diversity on the platform will continue to grow and you can look forward to lots of exciting content. (Image: Apple)