Hollywood agencies back rules for indie TV spending

A group of major Hollywood agencies and producers has formed the American Entertainment Alliance and wants federal rules that would change how studios spend on content. The plan would require big companies like Netflix, Disney, Amazon, and Skydance to put half of their annual content budgets into independent productions made in the United States.

The goal is to give creators more ownership of their shows and push more work to outside production companies. Supporters say that could create more jobs, more financing, and more chances for new storytellers to get projects made.

The idea is inspired by the old Fin-Syn rules from 1970, when broadcast networks could not fully control the shows they aired. Those rules helped independent companies grow, but they were later repealed in the 1990s.

The alliance also wants production companies to keep licensing rights to their shows. That could make it easier for canceled series to be picked up elsewhere or for older shows to find new homes later. The group is now meeting with lawmakers, but the plan is likely to face strong resistance from studios and a difficult path in Congress.