Media Chronology in France
Media chronology (also referred to as statutory windows) is an issue that is considered crucial by the French film and television industry.
The sequence of releasing was initially determined by a Decree until 2000, when a modification was introduced, providing the possibility for the different stakeholders to agree on the terms. After several attempts, an agreement was reached in 2009 by the associations representing the different stakeholders: producers, distributors, theaters, and the broadcasters. As it represented a consensus at that time, this agreement was extended by Ministerial order and made compulsory for any French company. In substance, it provides that a film exploited in theaters cannot be exploited through physical videos and pay VoD before 4 months, pay TV before 10 months, free TV before 22 months and SVOD before 36 months from said initial theatrical release. This agreement has been complied with even by the services established in foreign countries (UK, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland, etc.) addressing a French audience.
The development of VoD and SVoD and the difficulty to finance films that are not pre-bought by pay TV have led certain stakeholders to look for a modification of the regulation. The new EU Portability regulation and potential changes to Country of Origin principle for broadcasters being discussed in Brussels also lead to consideration of how the French window system should be reviewed.
There are discussions going on and propositions made by pay TV and independent film producers associations, as well as by the public agency, Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée (CNC).
