Amazon, US studios join Netflix in attacking streaming quotas plan
Amazon and the lobby group representing HBO have joined Netflix in criticising government proposals to introduce local content quotas for streaming services.
Global e-commerce giant Amazon and the lobby group representing US film studios including the parent company of HBO have joined Netflix in criticising government proposals to introduce local content quotas on streaming services, arguing the move will ultimately hurt consumers and domestic productions.
In a two-page response to the government's consultation paper on the issue obtained by Capital Brief, Amazon says the two proposed models for streaming quotas too narrowly focus on Australian drama programming, and uphold a stringent definition of Australian content that would exclude major productions it made locally such as Nine Perfect Strangers, which starred Nicole Kidman.
Meanwhile, the Australia New Zealand Screen Association (ANZSA), which represents HBO's parent Warner Bros Discovery, described the models as “punitive and discriminatory” according to its submission, also obtained by Capital Brief.
In a consultation paper sent to streaming services earlier this year the government proposed two potential models for quotas in Australia.
