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Streaming services like Netflix will invest in the making of Swiss movies in the future, for example by securing the rights to local productions or helping finance them. Bild: AP
Zoff on streaming services: Netflix and co should have to invest in Swiss movies
In the future, streaming platforms such as Netflix will have to invest one percent of their Swiss revenue in Swiss cinema. The National Council decided that. Young liberals threaten a referendum.
The Movie Finance Act prevents full rewinding. The National Council changed the details on Monday as part of the cultural message, but did not return it to the Federal Council control room. This is what Philipp Kutter (CVP / ZH) wanted. Christian Wasserfallen (FDP / BE) did not even want to speak. “It is hardly evident that any added value is being created here,” scoffed Wasserfallen. He also stated that this law is intended to make “compulsory consumption” palatable, but “it does not taste good.”
What water traps and cutters annoy, among other things, are two percentages in the law. Four percent and thirty percent. Online platforms such as Netflix, Disney or Apple TV will in the future have to invest four percent of their gross income in Switzerland in making independent Swiss films, or pay a replacement fee.. Thirty percent should be the percentage of European film production on these platforms, but also with national suppliers.. “We are damaging the Swiss media landscape,” Kutter is sure. He warned that while the rules were directed at foreign companies, they would ultimately affect national companies such as group 3+, which, like this news portal, belongs to CH Media.
More Swiss series
Where cutters and waterfalls do not suspect a happy ending, Matthias Aebischer (SP / BE) sees only advantages on behalf of the commission: “The objective is that not only American series are broadcast on streaming platforms and also on television stations, but also shortly also Swiss series or Swiss films with Swiss actors, with Swiss directors, with Swiss cameras, shot in Switzerland, with Swiss services ”.
He also argued about unequal treatment: Swiss television stations have to pay a fee for Swiss films anyway, this is stipulated in the radio and television law. With the current proposal, the target is foreign television channels, which invoice more than 300 million francs with their advertising windows in Switzerland and which force platforms such as Netflix to invest in Switzerland.
“I can only vote if I have the offer”
Thomas Brunner (GLP / SG) spoke of “limited market protection” and not of “foreclosure”. If more Swiss films are shown, this is not a restriction, but an extension: “I can only vote if I have offers.” Federal Councilor Alain Berset said it was “dishonest to criticize in Sunday speeches that Swiss cinema is neglected and then not ready to take a small step.”
With current law, the Federal Council is reacting to current developments in the movie business. This is increasingly being carried over to the internet and that is why it is up to the legislature to ensure the same length of spit. What applies to Swiss television stations should also apply to broadcast platforms.
However, the National Council made some directive interventions. Probably the most distinctive cut: The 4 percent became 1, against the will of the Left Council.. The decision was taken by 97 votes to 91 and 3 abstentions.. The National Council also relaxed some requirements. If this weakened “Lex Netflix” will even be heard by people is open. Young liberals are flirting with a referendum. “We want quality, not compulsory consumption,” commented the Young Party on Twitter.
As second counselor, the Council of States will now take up the matter.
While there was some tough haggling over funding for the films, the rest of the cultural message was not a great thriller. Many national councilors emphasized the value of culture. Especially in the crisis and the lack of culture, its value was recognized even more clearly. With the cultural message from 2021 to 2024, the Federal Council wants to invest around 935 million francs in various fields of culture. The SVP submitted a request for blanket rejection. He wanted to compensate for the loans à fonds perdu established under the Covid Culture Ordinance. (bzbasel.ch)
