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

Kato Bukenya T.

Faculty of Business and Management Kampala International University Uganda

                                                                 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.

Keywords: Cultural Policy, Streaming Platforms, Film Industry, Quotas and Subsidies, and Cultural Diversity.

CITE AS: Kato Bukenya T. (2026). Cultural Policy in the Streaming Era: Quotas, Subsidies, and Diversity in Film Industries. IDOSR JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES 11(1): 67-71. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJHSS/2026/1116771