The European VOD Coalition, which represents the likes of Netflix, Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount, claims a plan to create a 6% streamer levy in Denmark will devastate the nation’s inventive sector.
A press release launched as we speak slammed the proposed to create a ‘Cultural Contribution Act’ and urged the brand new Danish authorities to “present management and true assist for its manufacturing ecosystem by rethinking” it, and particularly dropping the streamer tax.
Denmark has been beset by issues in its manufacturing and inventive sectors this yr, with a standoff between administrators, writers and actors unions and streamers similar to Netflix and Viaplay erupting earlier this yr.
That battle, added to the proposed levy, had meant the SVoD companies had collectively pulled again from all commissioning, although native broadcaster TV2 and Viaplay struck short-term settlement with Create Denmark and Netflix adopted go well with by hanging a brand new deal final week. Prime Video and Disney+ offers haven’t but been lower.
“It’s clear that the proposal because it at present stands will likely be damaging for the entire inventive ecosystem. The levy will chase manufacturing away slightly than foster funding and partnership,” the European VOD Coalition assertion claimed.
“Coalition members are dedicated to investing in top quality Danish and European productions and search a sustainable, long-term framework that rewards and encourages funding slightly than double taxing success.
“Denmark’s latest election ended within the ruling Social Democrats as the most important social gathering, although native studies counsel the centre-left group could need to staff with right-leaning counterparts to type a brand new authorities.”
The assertion adde the physique was “prepared to satisfy with the federal government to clarify the financial realities, and to resume our assist for Danish content material.”
European regulation on streaming continues to be a scorching button matter, with the likes of France and Spain each implementing laws that requires SVoD companies to spend sure ranges of native income on native reveals.