Argentine film platform Cine.ar survives potential closure, continues to grow

Argentina's Cine.ar, a vital platform for national cinema, recently navigated a period of uncertainty, narrowly avoiding a potential sale or closure. The service, which includes the Cine.ar TV channel, the Cine.Ar Play on-demand platform, and the Cine.ar Estrenos paid premieres, was slated for transfer to the Secretariat of Media under the Presidency, a move widely interpreted as a precursor to privatization.

However, following a decree that would have formalized the transfer in October 2025, the decision was reversed, leaving Cine.ar to continue its operations as usual. This near-disappearance highlights a significant challenge within the Argentine film industry: a vast amount of national cinema is produced, yet a substantial portion remains unseen by the local public.

Cine.ar, originally launched as Odeón in 2015 and evolving into its current form in 2017, was conceived to provide a dedicated window for national film production. The platform experienced a surge in usage during the 2020 pandemic, with many films released during that period premiering on its service. Crucially, access to Cine.ar's extensive catalog of national films, including classic productions, is free, with the exception of "Estrenos" for recent releases, which cost a nominal fee.

While Cine.ar may not host all major Argentine box office hits of recent decades, many of which are tied to international studios and appear on global platforms like Netflix or Disney+, its archive represents the vast majority of local audiovisual output. It offers a comprehensive view of national cinematic history, complementing rather than replacing other viewing options.