Without 30% European content, Apple TV+ and other streaming services may be banned in Europe

New legislation in Europe, following directives from the European Union, may make it a bit more difficult for some streaming services to function in the region — at least for a bit.

Irish lawmakers implementing European Union directives, are moving forward with new legislation that requires streaming services to have at least 30% European content within the region. Without reaching that 30 percent goal, streaming services like Apple TV+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and others could be shut down in the European Union.

If ratified, the new legislation would make some changes happen right out of the gate. First, a new Irish Media Commission would regulate the streaming services, and determine if they are following through with the obligations set down by the new law.

While other streaming services would be required to follow these laws, it appears that Apple TV+ is picking up the majority of the attention from the Irish Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media Catherine Martin, as noted today on Twitter by journalist Adrian Weckler (via MacRumors):

Netflix, and other streaming services that have been around for quite some time and made a lot of International deals, will find it easier to reach these new regulations if they do become official. Meanwhile, Apple TV+ is in a bit rougher waters. As it stands right now, there’s only one piece of content on the streaming platform that would fall under “European Work”. That’s the comedy series Trying. And the only reason Trying even qualifies is because “European Work” includes content created in the United Kingdom, even though it left the EU.

Apple would need to add 17 new titles, either TV shows or films, to its library to be within regulation in the EU if this legislation is ratified. And that means adding those 17 titles without adding any additional content.

It will be interesting to see how Apple handles this moving forward. The company is absolutely not against international content, not by any means. But with this legislation, Apple will have to focus on European content moving forward in a big way.