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Cultural Policy in the Streaming Era: Quotas, Subsidies, and Diversity in Film Industries

Author: Kato Bukenya T.
Publisher: IDOSR JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Published: 2026
Section: Faculty of Business and Management

Abstract

The rapid expansion of streaming platforms has fundamentally reshaped global film industries, challenging 
traditional modes of production, distribution, and exhibition while intensifying debates around cultural policy. 
This study examines the role of quotas and subsidies as key policy instruments for promoting domestic film 
industries and enhancing cultural diversity in the streaming era. Drawing on comparative international 
experiences, the paper highlights how quotas, through mechanisms such as minimum local content requirements 
and expenditure obligations, seek to correct imbalances in content visibility and access, while subsidies provide 
critical financial support to sustain domestic production and creative ecosystems. However, the dominance of 
global streaming platforms, coupled with evolving consumption patterns and regulatory gaps, complicates the 
effectiveness of these measures. The analysis further unpacks the multidimensional concept of diversity, spanning 
representation on-screen, participation behind the camera, audience inclusion, and the plurality of narratives. It 
underscores the persistent gap between policy objectives and industry practices, as well as the need for more 
robust evaluation frameworks to assess both cultural and economic impacts. Ultimately, the paper argues that 
while quotas and subsidies remain vital, their design and implementation must adapt to the transnational and 
digital nature of the streaming landscape to ensure a balanced ecosystem that fosters local creativity, fair 
competition, and meaningful cultural representation.