The French Streaming Time Warp
A movie releases in U.S. theaters. Americans wait 45-90 days to stream it at home.
French viewers? They wait 17 months. Sometimes longer.
If you’re in France, you already know about the “chronologie des médias.” It’s the theatrical window law designed to protect French cinema. And while it achieves that goal, it also creates the longest streaming delays in the Western world.
This guide explains why France’s streaming landscape is uniquely restrictive, how cinema protection laws affect what you can watch and when, and how US Unlocked helps French viewers access U.S. streaming services that don’t enforce these mandatory delays.
What Are Streaming Geo-Restrictions?
Streaming geo-restrictions are location-based content blocks that limit what you can watch based on your country.
When you access streaming platforms, they check your IP address and physical location. If content isn’t licensed for your region, access gets blocked automatically.
These aren’t technical errors. They’re licensing agreements combined with local regulations. Content owners sell streaming rights country by country, and in France, additional laws determine when content can appear on streaming platforms.
Your location determines both your catalog AND your release timing. Always.
Benefits of Accessing U.S. Streaming Libraries from France
Getting access to American streaming catalogs solves several specific problems French viewers face:
No Theatrical Window Delays
U.S. streaming platforms don’t enforce France’s 17-month theatrical window. New releases appear on American streaming services within weeks or months of theater release, not over a year later.
Access to U.S.-Only Platforms
Hulu, HBO Max (now “Max”), Peacock TV, and Paramount+ don’t operate in France. These platforms host thousands of exclusive shows and original series unavailable on any French service.
Larger Content Libraries
Netflix US has approximately 5,800 titles. Netflix France has around 5,400. Disney+ US gets content first and has more Marvel and Star Wars titles available simultaneously.
No Canal+ Windowing
French streaming often requires going through Canal+ first due to their distribution agreements. U.S. platforms bypass this entirely, providing direct access to content.
Types of Streaming Restrictions in France
French viewers face a unique combination of barriers:
Chronologie des Médias (Theatrical Window Laws)
France mandates minimum waiting periods before movies can appear on streaming platforms:
- 17 months for most streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video)
- 15 months for services that invest in French film production
- 22 months before free-to-air TV
This means French viewers legally wait over a year longer than Americans to stream the same new releases.
Complete Platform Unavailability
Hulu, Peacock TV, HBO Max, and Paramount+ don’t operate in France. Account creation is impossible without U.S. payment methods and billing addresses.
Canal+ Distribution Dominance
Many international releases go through Canal+ first in France due to their theatrical and distribution agreements. This creates additional delays before content reaches other platforms.
Payment Method Blocking
Even with a VPN making you appear to browse from America, U.S. streaming services reject French credit and debit cards. They verify your card’s issuing country through BIN checks and decline non-U.S. payment methods.
This payment barrier is what most French users discover only after purchasing a VPN.
Streaming Services in France vs. the United States
Let’s compare what French subscribers actually see versus American viewers.
Netflix France vs. Netflix U.S.
Netflix operates in both countries, but timing and content differ significantly.
The numbers: Netflix U.S. has approximately 5,800 titles. Netflix France has around 5,400 titles. That’s roughly 7% less content.
The timing problem: Netflix France must wait 15 months after theatrical release to stream movies (they negotiated down from the standard 17 months by investing in French film production). Netflix US waits 45-90 days.
What’s missing: New theatrical releases take over a year longer to appear on Netflix France than Netflix US. French viewers often resort to other methods or simply wait.
Disney+ France vs. Disney+ U.S.
Disney+ operates in France but faces the same theatrical window restrictions.
Content timing: New Disney theatrical releases must wait 17 months before appearing on Disney+ France. Disney+ US gets them within 3-6 months.
Example: A Marvel movie releasing in theaters in March won’t appear on Disney+ France until August of the following year. Disney+ US has it by June or July of the same year.
Catalog differences: Beyond timing, some Disney+ titles don’t appear in France at all due to existing Canal+ agreements.
Amazon Prime Video France vs. Prime Video U.S.
Prime Video operates in both countries with catalog and timing differences.
Regional emphasis: Prime Video France focuses on French and European content. Many American Prime Originals don’t appear or arrive months late.
Theatrical window: Amazon must also respect the 17-month window for theatrical releases, creating the same delays as Netflix and Disney+.
HBO Max / Max
Completely unavailable in France.
HBO content in France gets distributed through Canal+ and OCS (Orange Cinema Series), but it’s fragmented and delayed. HBO Max Originals that stream immediately in the U.S. take months to reach French platforms.
Hulu
Doesn’t operate outside the United States.
Hulu hosts thousands of exclusive shows, next-day network TV episodes, and original series. French viewers have no official access despite France being a major Western streaming market.
Peacock TV
NBC’s streaming platform is U.S.-only.
Peacock offers NBC shows, Universal Pictures movies, live sports, and exclusive originals. None of this is accessible from France through official channels.
Paramount+
Not available in France.
Paramount+ content gets scattered across Canal+, Pluto TV, and other French platforms, but there’s no unified Paramount+ service. CBS shows and Paramount Pictures releases face the same theatrical window delays.
Canal+ (French Service)
Canal+ is France’s dominant premium content provider, but it doesn’t solve the U.S. content gap.
Canal+ controls much of France’s film distribution through theatrical and streaming agreements. While they offer excellent French and European content, U.S.-exclusive platform originals (Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock) simply aren’t available.
Salto (French Service – Discontinued)
Salto was France’s answer to U.S. streaming services, launched by TF1, M6, and France Télévisions. It shut down in 2023, leaving French viewers with fewer local alternatives to U.S. platforms.
Now that you understand what’s missing from France’s streaming landscape, here’s why these restrictions exist and persist.
Why France Has the Longest Streaming Delays in the Western World
France’s streaming situation reflects a deliberate cultural policy protecting French cinema.
Chronologie des Médias Is Law, Not Licensing
Unlike most countries where streaming timing is determined by licensing agreements, France legally mandates theatrical windows. This is cultural protection policy, not market dynamics.
The law exists to:
- Protect French movie theaters from streaming competition
- Ensure theatrical releases remain economically viable
- Fund French film production through theater revenue
Cinema Is Cultural Heritage
France views cinema as cultural heritage worthy of legal protection. The chronologie des médias reflects this philosophy, prioritizing theatrical exhibition over consumer convenience.
Canal+ Negotiated Preferential Treatment
Canal+ invested billions in French film production, earning them preferential treatment in distribution agreements. This gives Canal+ first access to many releases, creating additional delays for other platforms.
Streaming Services Must Invest in French Production
To operate in France, streaming platforms must invest minimum percentages of French revenue into local content production. Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon all make these investments, but it doesn’t eliminate theatrical window requirements.
The System Protects French Film Industry
France has one of the world’s strongest domestic film industries. The chronologie des médias is credited with preserving French cinema against Hollywood dominance. But it comes at the cost of delayed streaming access.
Two Users, Same Platform, Different Timing
You and your friend in New York both pay for Netflix. They stream new releases within months. You wait 15+ months for the same content.
Your location determines not just your catalog, but your release calendar.
This is why French viewers often seek ways to access U.S. streaming services that don’t enforce these mandatory delays.
Understanding these restrictions is frustrating, but there’s a practical solution addressing the payment barrier preventing access to U.S. streaming platforms.
How US Unlocked Solves the Payment Barrier for French Viewers
US Unlocked removes the payment method restriction preventing French users from subscribing to American streaming platforms.
What US Unlocked Actually Provides
US Unlocked gives you virtual payment cards with U.S. billing addresses. These function exactly like U.S.-issued credit cards when subscribing to American streaming services.
You get:
- Virtual Visa or Mastercard with valid U.S. billing addresses
- Access to Netflix US, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock TV, Paramount+, and thousands of other U.S. services
- The ability to load card balance from France using local payment methods
The streaming platform sees a legitimate U.S. payment method. You get access to U.S. content libraries without theatrical window delays.
Learn more about how US Unlocked works →
The Benefits French Users Actually See
No 17-Month Theatrical Window
U.S. streaming accounts don’t enforce France’s chronologie des médias. New releases appear within weeks or months of theatrical release, not over a year later.
Subscribe to U.S.-Only Platforms
Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock TV, and Paramount+ all accept US Unlocked virtual cards. These services are completely unavailable in France otherwise, even with a VPN.
Pay for U.S. Subscriptions Without a U.S. Bank Account
No need for an American credit card or bank account. US Unlocked’s virtual cards handle payment processing using funds you load from France.
Access Full U.S. Content Libraries
Once subscribed with a U.S. payment method, you get the complete U.S. catalog with U.S. release timing. No more waiting over a year for new releases.
Bypass Canal+ Distribution Delays
Access content directly through U.S. platforms instead of waiting for Canal+ distribution agreements to resolve.
Reliable Renewals
Your subscriptions renew automatically. No declined payments. No account suspensions because your French bank card got flagged.
What US Unlocked Doesn’t Do
US Unlocked doesn’t provide VPN services. You’ll need your own VPN to make streaming platforms think you’re browsing from the United States.
US Unlocked handles the payment barrier. Your VPN handles the geographic barrier.
Together, they create the complete solution: U.S. payment method accepted + U.S. location verified = full American streaming access without French theatrical window delays.
Learn about VPN options for France →
Setting Up US Unlocked from France
Getting started takes about 15 minutes.
Step 1: Create Your US Unlocked Account
Sign up at usunlocked.com. Provide your name, French address, and date of birth for verification.
Step 2: Get Approved and Fund Your Account
Once approved, load funds using methods available from France:
- SEPA Bank Transfer: Direct transfer from any French or EU bank account ($2.00 + 2% fee)
- Credit / Debit Cards: Use your French bank card (BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, etc.) to fund your account ($1.00 + 5% fee)
- Crypto / Stablecoins: Load using USDC, Bitcoin, or other cryptocurrencies (2% fee)
- Apple Pay / Google Pay: Digital wallet funding ($1.00 + 5% fee)
All funds convert to USD in your account balance.
Step 3: Choose Your Membership Plan
US Unlocked offers two tiers:
- Monthly: $4.95/month (includes 10 virtual cards)
- Annual: $39.95/year (save 33%, includes 10 virtual cards)
Additional virtual cards cost $2 each if you need more than 10.
View complete pricing details →
Step 4: Create Virtual Cards for Each Service
Generate virtual payment cards from your US Unlocked dashboard. Each card comes with a unique U.S. billing address automatically assigned.
Card types available:
- US Unlocked Cards: Open-to-buy cards that work at most U.S. merchants
- Store Locked Cards: Lock to the first approved merchant (ideal for streaming subscriptions)
- One-Time Use Cards: Delete after single use (for trial signups or one-off purchases)
Step 5: Subscribe to U.S. Streaming Services
Use your US Unlocked virtual card details and U.S. billing address when signing up for Hulu, HBO Max, Netflix US, or any other American service.
Step 6: Connect Your VPN and Start Streaming
Activate your VPN (connect to a U.S. server) before accessing streaming platforms. Log into your accounts. Your U.S. content library with immediate release timing is now accessible.
US Unlocked Pricing for French Users
Here’s exactly what you’ll pay (converted to EUR for clarity):
Membership Fees
- Monthly plan: $4.95/month (approximately €4.60)
- Annual plan: $39.95/year (approximately €37, works out to €3.08/month)
Card Fees
- First 10 virtual cards: Included in membership
- Additional cards: $2 each (approximately €1.85)
- One-time use cards: $2 each
Loading Fees (When Adding Funds)
- SEPA Bank Transfer: $2.00 + 2%
- Credit/Debit Cards: $1.00 + 5%
- Crypto/Stablecoins: 2%
- Apple Pay/Google Pay: $1.00 + 5%
Transaction Fees
None. Once your card is loaded, there are no additional fees when you spend.
Real Cost Comparison
Current France Streaming Setup:
- Netflix France: €13.49/month (Standard)
- Disney+ France: €8.99/month
- Canal+: €20.99/month (for premium content and earlier access)
- Total: €43.47/month with 15-17 month delays for new releases
Alternative with U.S. Access:
- Netflix US: $15.49/month (€14.40) with releases 12+ months earlier
- Hulu: $7.99/month (€7.40)
- HBO Max: $9.99/month (€9.30)
- US Unlocked: €4.60/month
- VPN: €4/month (annual plan pricing)
- Total: €39.70/month for comprehensive U.S. streaming with immediate release timing
Similar cost. Dramatically faster access to new content. No theatrical window delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I just use a VPN to access U.S. streaming?
Does US Unlocked work with French payment methods?
Is this legal in France?
Will I avoid the 17-month theatrical window?
Will this affect my streaming quality?
Which VPN works best from France?
Can I keep my French streaming subscriptions?
What happens if my VPN disconnects while streaming?
How do I load funds from French banks?
Can I use US Unlocked for things besides streaming?
Stop Waiting 17 Months for New Releases
Living in France shouldn’t mean waiting over a year longer than Americans to stream new releases.
The chronologie des médias serves an important cultural purpose: protecting French cinema. But it also creates the longest streaming delays in the Western world, forcing French viewers to choose between waiting legally or seeking alternatives.
US Unlocked provides access to U.S. streaming platforms that don’t enforce these mandatory delays. No more 17-month waits. No more discovering that the movie everyone streamed months ago still isn’t available in France.
Ready to stop living in a streaming time warp?
Get started with US Unlocked → and stream with U.S. release timing, not French theatrical windows.
Your watchlist shouldn’t have a 17-month delay.
