The Streaming Wars: European culture could be a major step towards recovery

Gérard Pogorel | 14th April 2021 | Uncategorised
Members of the cast and crew of Netflix’s hit German TV series Babylon Berlin pick at the Bambi Awards in Berlin, 2018. Robert Schlesinger/Getty Images
Members of the cast and crew of Netflix’s hit German TV series Babylon Berlin pick at the Bambi Awards in Berlin, 2018. Robert Schlesinger/Getty Images

Politicians across the bloc ought to remember the films and series they enjoyed during lockdown – and support their continental producers.

Confronting the great digital transformation, the European Union is engaged in a defining effort on many fronts. At a regulatory level, the 2016 General Data Protection Regulation addressed data property and privacy issues. The 2020 package Digital Services and Digital Markets Acts proposes to define the obligations of “gatekeepers” and the rules of a level playing field for services and platforms. By so doing, the EU promotes itself as a culture of its own. It then comes as no surprise that the effort also involves initiatives regarding the mother of global cultural wars, the film and TV industries.  The great coronavirus pandemic is reshuffling the cards in the film and TV battles for subscribers. Home entertainment has taken central stage as cinemas, outdoors and city venues are a no-go. Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, WarnerMedia, Apple TV and others now operate subscription campaigns across the world with spectacular success. As the big streaming platforms storm across the Atl...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



Mandelson’s lobbying firm in disarray as CEO departs

Oliver Dean | February 6, 2026

Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, who co-founded the lobbying firm Global Counsel alongside Peter Mandelson has today resigned following significant backlash regarding the firm’s link to Jeffrey Epstein.

Russell Group turns to public policy veteran for next phase of university lobbying

Thomas Edwards | January 21, 2026

The Russell Group has picked Professor Libby Hackett, an Australia based public policy specialist, as its next chief executive, handing the UK’s most influential research university lobby to

Brussels Opens EU Arctic Policy Review With Public Consultation

Mace | December 29, 2025

The European Commission launches a public consultation to update EU Arctic policy amid climate pressures and rising geopolitical stakes.

China slaps dairy levies of up to 42.7 percent on EU exports

Mace | December 23, 2025

Beijing imposes provisional anti subsidy duties on EU dairy products, deepening trade tensions and hitting exporters across the bloc

Germany calls for overhaul of EU foreign subsidy rules

Mace | December 23, 2025

Berlin urges a full rethink of EU foreign subsidy controls, warning current rules impose heavy burdens and risk harming investment.

EU Council signs off delay and simplification of deforestation law

Mace | December 23, 2025

EU governments approve targeted revisions delaying the deforestation regulation, easing compliance demands while keeping core environmental safeguards in place

EU moves to expand carbon border levy to shut loopholes in polluting imports

Mace | December 19, 2025

Brussels plans to widen its carbon border levy, targeting downstream goods and loopholes to prevent carbon leakage and protect EU industry

Thai baht surge to multi year highs tightens squeeze on exporters

Mace | December 16, 2025

Thailand’s baht hits multi year peak, squeezing exporters and forcing policy makers to juggle currency stability, trade competitiveness and fragile economic recovery

Italy Joins Belgium in Challenging EU Plan to Use Frozen Russian Assets

Mace | December 15, 2025

Italy aligns with Belgium to oppose Brussels’ plan to deploy frozen Russian assets for Ukraine, complicating efforts ahead of key EU summit.

Democratic Led States Sue Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

Mace | December 13, 2025

Twenty US states challenge Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee, arguing it exceeds presidential authority and threatens labour markets.