Analysis: Netflix, Hulu Streaming Battle Localities Over Revenue

Local jurisdictions are continuing their push to tax the video streaming services offered by Netflix, Inc., Hulu, Inc., and Walt Disney, Co. (Disney+). Although the courts have decided against most of the local governments seeking to collect franchise fees from these companies, the localities are not likely to give up attempts to secure revenue to shore up their budgets.

Local governments have used local excise taxes and franchise fees to generate revenue from cable and satellite television. Consumers shifting away from traditional television programming to online digital video consumption has cities across the country feeling the effects of decreasing franchise ...