Specialty streaming services advocate for fairness in pending legislation in Québec

DECEMBER 10, 2025 – Members of Beyond Mainstream: A Global Streaming Alliance, which represents specialty streaming services with audiences in nearly every country, are advocating for fairness for their viewers and services on legislation in Québec. The coalition, which was launched in October, recently submitted a letter to Québec policy makers explaining that, while well-intentioned, Bill 109, An Act to Affirm the Cultural Sovereignty of Québec and to enact the Act Respecting the Discoverability of French-language Cultural Content in the Digital Environment, presents unintended consequences for specialized and smaller streaming services and the Quebecers they serve.

In its letter to policy makers, Beyond Mainstream wrote: “We share the Québec government’s commitment to preserving the province’s rich culture and understand policymakers’ desire to make it easier for Quebecers to discover and access original French-language cultural content. We believe, however, that certain provisions of Bill 109 could have unintended negative consequences. These impacts would affect not only Quebecers seeking to access and enjoy specialized or niche content, but also the streamers catering to them. These specialized platforms contribute to a diverse, vibrant, and healthy media landscape in Québec, ensuring that viewers have a wide variety of content to enjoy.”

Bill 109 would promote the production and discoverability of French-language content for residents of Québec. However, in its letter Beyond Mainstream explained that some of the measure’s provisions may create a “one-size-fits-all” approach that could unintentionally harm specialty streamers. The coalition noted concerns about reductions in viewer choice of specialized content, and potential instability due to vagueness in the regulations and overlap with federal policy.

Members of Beyond Mainstream are supportive of policies that are designed to benefit viewers, but oftentimes regulations are geared toward the largest and most generalized streaming platforms. This can lead to rules that apply to specialized streamers that were never the intended target of the legislation and unintentionally reduce viewers’ access to content geared towards specific interests, identities, or demographics.

Beyond Mainstream will continue to advocate for policies that benefit regional and national economies and industries without negatively impacting viewers of specialty streaming services, including in Canada and worldwide. The coalition aims to ensure that specialized and regional platforms – and the diverse audiences they serve – are not overlooked. Beyond Mainstream advocates for the needs of viewers worldwide who rely on specialized streamers, while also highlighting the unique cultural value and contribution of such services.

ABOUT BEYOND MAINSTREAM

Beyond Mainstream: A Global Streaming Alliance is a coalition of streaming services with audiences in nearly every country worldwide. The group advocates for fair and proportionate regulations for these specialized platforms, ensuring viewers everywhere can continue to choose and access a diverse range of content and streaming options.

Beyond Mainstream aims to provide a unique, collective voice for specialized services in the streaming industry. The coalition will work to ensure a more equitable regulatory environment where members have a strong collective voice in global regulatory and policy debates.