Absurd, but true. Europe is proposing a new regulation that at the moment is nothing more than a project and that would put streaming platforms in check. The so-called Bill of the General Scheme for Online Security and Media Regulation could prohibit those platforms that do not have 30% or more of local content in their catalog, that is, produced in the European Union. We analyze this news below and how it would affect Apple TV +.
Europe is bundled into an absurd rule
It is understood that the European Union wants to preserve the local product in all its senses, which is not really bad, but it is at least strange if it applies to services such as those offered by platforms such as Netflix, HBO, Disney or Apple itself with your streaming television service. Section 65 of the aforementioned bill specifies that all these platforms must offer at least 30% of content considered local. This is in order to adapt the content to the target of the largest number of European countries possible. As a curiosity, the content made in the United Kingdom would fall within this percentage despite the fact that after Brexit it is no longer within the European Union.
While it is true that each country and even each region within these may have its peculiarities, in the end we live in a globalized world in which it is not strange for us to consume content from other countries. Sometimes even in original language. There is excellent European content and without going any further, series like La Casa de Papel from our country have swept the world. However, forcing a platform to create local content, yes or yes, seems at least unwise in terms of product quality. At least this is what we think in this writing.
Apple TV + would not qualify
The content available on Apple TV + is increasingly broad, although without reaching the amount that other large platforms have. The fact that Californians only have exclusive content on their service is largely to blame for this, although it is also noteworthy that the brand’s seal of quality is increasingly evident in all its productions. However, we are in doubt as to whether Apple will broadcast third-party content if this law is approved, since otherwise it could not legally broadcast in European countries.
A large percentage of Apple TV + series, films and documentaries originate in the United States, but we also find other content such as the Cycles series that have British origins. However, these European contents do not reach the minimum required and therefore the court would not pass if the law is approved. We will have to wait to see how this project progresses, since it is still early and it could be months and who knows if years, but we will remain attentive to any information in this regard to see what steps the company led by Tim Cook decides to take.