How the EU's 30% European works quota applies to streaming catalogues
EU rules require on-demand services to keep at least 30% of their catalogues as European works. Here is how that share is counted, and what the 2026 review covers.
Streaming services that offer programmes to viewers in the European Union must meet a quota for European works. The rule comes from the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive, which sets the framework for television and on-demand services across the bloc.
For a streaming service, the quota is a catalogue requirement rather than a broadcast schedule rule. It affects which titles a service must carry and how those titles are counted, and it applies to the services that fall within the directive's scope.
What the 30% obligation requires
Under the directive, providers of on-demand audiovisual services must ensure that at least 30% of their catalogue is made up of European works. They must also ensure that those works are given prominence.
The share is measured against the catalogue rather than viewing time, because on-demand content is not tied to a programming schedule, according to CMS's summary of the Commission's guidance.
The Commission's guidance on calculating the share is non-binding, according to CMS.
How titles are counted toward the 30% share
The Commission's guidance, which the law firm CMS summarised, says the share is calculated by number of titles, not by viewing time. The guidance treats that method as suited to on-demand services, where programmes are not tied to a broadcast schedule.
Each film counts as a separate title, including separate films in a franchise. A television series counts as one title per season rather than one per episode. CMS uses The Crown as an example: it has four seasons of ten episodes each, so under this method a high-quality show counts as only four titles.
National authorities may give more weight to expensive, high-end productions. CMS says such works can be weighted more heavily where their episodes are comparable in duration and cost to a feature film.
Each national authority decides how the quota is measured, for example over an average period or a set period, because catalogues change daily. In the Commission's view, a provider that runs several national catalogues should secure the 30% share in each one.
Which services and countries the quota reaches
The quota applies to on-demand providers operating in EU markets. Member States implement the directive through national law, and each national authority decides how the quota is measured.
For a provider that offers different catalogues in different countries, the Commission's view is that each catalogue should secure the 30% share.
The directive as a whole covers traditional TV broadcasts, on-demand services and video-sharing platforms, according to the Commission's review page. The 30% quota discussed here applies to on-demand services.
When member states had to write the rule into law
Member states had until 19 September 2020 to transpose the directive into national law, according to CMS. Because the obligation is implemented nationally, each EU country applies the 30% quota through its own rules.
The Media Board's suggestions stress preserving Member States' flexibility to establish national, regional or independent production sub-quotas.
The directive was last revised in 2018, according to Digital Policy Alert. The current review asks whether it remains fit for purpose.
“The share is calculated by number of titles, not by viewing time.”
What the 2026 review of the directive covers
The Commission opened a public consultation on 10 February 2026 and closed it on 1 May 2026, according to Digital Policy Alert and the Commission's own news page. Digital Policy Alert says the initiative evaluates whether the directive remains fit for purpose.
An earlier call for evidence ran from 23 November 2025 to 21 December 2025, according to Digital Policy Alert.
The Commission says the review assesses the impact of the directive and explores options for revising it. It aims to simplify and adapt the rules to a changing media landscape. The review is planned in the Commission's 2026 work programme, and the Commission's press release refers to the European Democracy Shield.
The consultation covers four areas: scope and enforcement, audiovisual commercial communications, protection of viewers, and media diversity in the internal market. The Commission's page names stronger protection of minors on video-sharing platforms, simpler advertising rules, a level playing field between traditional and digital players, prominence for media services of general interest, and alignment with the Digital Services Act as priorities.
The Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA) has proposed a higher minimum quota for European works in on-demand catalogues. It also proposes excluding certain types of programmes from the quota and mandatory measures ensuring the prominence of European works.
What the Media Board wants changed beyond quotas
The European Media Board published its suggestions on 30 July 2026. It says the current quotas for European works on-demand services and broadcasters have proven their effectiveness. It also says national financial contribution schemes continue to play a crucial role, and prominence obligations remain essential.
The Board asks for further reflection on the definition of European works, so that the term stays relevant for the creative and audiovisual sector. It also supports centralising data on European works in the European Audiovisual Observatory's database.
On prominence, the Board wants stronger EU-level harmonisation, clearer guidance and better online visibility for services of general interest, including in recommender systems. Article 7a should stay non-mandatory, leaving Member States free to decide whether to introduce a scheme.
On advertising, the Board proposes extending obligations to video-sharing platforms and on-demand services. It also calls for stronger protections against harmful commercial communications, such as those on financial scams, food supplements, and surgical and aesthetic procedures.
Podcasts and radio would be covered in a targeted way, subject to the results of an impact assessment. The Board also suggests including content creators and user interfaces, and developing a common EU framework.
The Board's suggestions cover broadcasters as well as on-demand services. These are suggestions rather than legal changes.
