Streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney + are required by a majority of the House of Representatives to invest part of their turnover in Dutch productions. Coalition parties VVD, D66, CDA and ChristenUnie have reached an agreement on this, confirms Pim van Strien (VVD).
The vote on the law was postponed for four weeks in a row because the parties could not agree. This included the amount that should go to independent producers. The House will debate the proposal at the end of May.
The parties spent weeks negotiating amendments to the law introduced by VVD, D66, CDA, PvdA and GroenLinks. The proposed changes contradicted each other. These will be amended so that a parliamentary majority can agree to them.
Streaming platforms with a turnover of at least 10 million euros in the Netherlands must invest 5 percent of this in Dutch productions, according to the coalition’s plan.
This does not necessarily have to be a Dutch-language production. It may also be so in Frisian. Even an English film is allowed, as long as it has an original script in Dutch and is about the culture or history of the country.
In May, the parties will dot the i’s and cross the t’s. For example, they are still debating the percentage of investment that should go to independent producers.
Another bone of contention is the type of production where the money should go. Presumably half of the money will go to films, documentaries and series. The other half can go to any genre.