A new trade organisation was born earlier this week and it brings together the likes of Netflix, Disney, Warer Bros. Discovery, Motion Pictures Association and Paramount to lobby with policy-makers and government entities, including regulators.

According to Variety, the formation of Streaming Innovation Alliance or SIA marks the first time competing streaming-video providers have banded together in a unified lobbying front.

The launch members of the Streaming Innovation Alliance (https://www.streaminginnovationalliance.com/) are AfroLandTV, America Nu Network, BET+, Discovery+, For Us By Us Network, Max, the Motion Picture Association, MotorTrend+, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, PlutoTV, Telemundo, TelevisaUnivision and Vix, Vault and the Walt Disney Co.

The SIA will “advocate for federal and state policies that build on the strong, competitive, and pro-consumer market for streaming video,” according to the group, Variety reported Tuesday. (https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/streaming-innovation-alliance-netflix-disney-max-1235735932/)

Companies notably absent from the Streaming Innovation Alliance’s initial roster include Apple, Amazon, Google/YouTube and Roku.

The newly-formed organisation has tapped two well-known Washington DC leaders as senior advisers — Fred Upton, a Republican who is a 36-year veteran of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Mignon Clyburn, a Democrat who served as acting chair of the Federal Communications Commission.

The group said Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, played a “leading role” in organizing the SIA.

“Streaming provides great value, vast programming choices, and unprecedented options for consumers,” Rivkin said in a statement, adding “The MPA looks forward to working with the SIA and its members to ensure federal and state policy propels this incredible innovation forward – and doesn’t undermine the value and diversity consumers are enjoying today.”