Amazon Prime Video is required to invest at least €90 million ($105.8 million) in French-language productions in 2026, France’s media regulator, ARCOM, confirmed on Thursday.
The requirement is an increase from the €40 million annual obligation set in 2021.
According to ARCOM, the obligation could increase to €110 million, as a higher figure applies if Amazon releases films on Prime Video less than 12 months after cinema screenings.
The investment is part of France’s cultural policy. Streaming platforms and broadcasters must fund European and French-language content to operate in the country.
However, the level of investment depends on revenue earned in France, so the figure can rise further over time.
While the structure of the policy has been consistent, the scale is what changes this time. Bigger platforms now carry heavier financial obligations.
ARCOM’s system is designed to support local film and television production. It ensures global streaming companies contribute directly to the French creative sector rather than relying on imported content alone.
Amazon is not alone in this arrangement. Netflix already commits hundreds of millions of euros each year to French and European productions. Disney+ also contributes, although at a lower level due to its smaller presence in the French market.
The spending regulations have helped shape what viewers see locally. Series such as Lupin on Netflix and Mixte on Amazon Prime Video benefited from this funding model, and these productions have also strengthened local demand for streaming platforms.
The financial stress on Amazon is growing, with its global content budget exceeding $16 billion in 2025. France is still one of its strongest European markets, with around 12 million Prime Video subscribers.
The current requirement will add to Amazon’s content strategy, as it must balance global production costs with local obligations that vary by country.
France is one of the most demanding regulatory environments in Europe for streaming services.
