Harstad politicians are hoping the registration of ‘Kompani Lauritzen’ will finally put Harstad on the map, and are throwing millions after production. – It is important that AS Norge and the Norwegian Armed Forces bring “Compani Lauritzen” to Northern Norway, the Deputy Mayor believes.
Harstad municipality decided to spend seven million Norwegian kroner to attract viewer hit “Kompani Lauritzen”.
– This is a great opportunity for Harstad, Mayor Kari-Anne Opsal (Ap) told VG.
The success of the vision has been recorded in Setnesmoen in the municipality of Rauma for several years. Now the series is on the move and the Sør-Troms municipality of Harstad is hoping to get some screen time from the pearl of the Vågsfjord.
Opsal says it is in dialogue with production company Seefood and is offering SEK seven million if they choose to film six seasons – over three years – in Harstad.
The municipality assumes that the business community contributes financially and can provide half of the sum, while the municipality is willing to seek tax crowns for the rest.
Conservative group leader Rune Stenstrøm believes it is a “no-brainer” to raise millions for TV 2. He points out that Harstad may not be as well known as people in Harstad like to think.
– It’s easy to think that everyone knows about Harstad. Yes, many people have heard of Harstad, because they have heard of Sophie Elise or Jan Høiland. But very few people in the country of Norway have been to Harstad, he notes in the municipal council’s review of the case.
Hoping for tourists
A clear majority of Harstad politicians voted in favor of the proposal. Including liberal politician Even Aronsen.
– I hope it can contribute to some local pride. It’s good for business, and perhaps some tourists heading to Lofoten will want to stop and spend a day or two in Harstad, rather than drive straight to the roundabout, she says.
Rødt and MDG, on the other hand, did not share the enthusiasm to bring logging to Harstad if it means that the municipality has to pay for the fun.
– The city council must have stars in the eyes of “Kompanie Lauritzen”, the whole gang. They have completely lost sight of the road, MDG’s Oskar Alvereng tells VG.
– It seems they want to open the municipal disposal fund without a single critical thought, as long as they go on TV, he says in despair.
The MDG politician points out that there are cuts in the Municipality-Norway and thinks it is very unfortunate to give the tax money to the production company.
– Playing jokes
He was also critical when the city council addressed the issue.
– Rather than watching someone play defense and enjoy themselves on a pay channel, we could increase the cultural budget or support the Salvation Army. I would rather present Harstad as a city of culture than play games with the military at Trondene camp, MDG’s Oskar Alvereng said during the debate on the proposal.
The post received a correction from Mayor Kari-Anne Opsal, who felt that “doing stupid things” was not acceptable language. At the same time, you stressed that expressions such as “bajas” and “Nessekong” were used during the meeting, which were not accepted.
Security policy considerations
Deputy Mayor Espen Ludviksen (Sp) says he has seen absolutely every episode of “Kompani Lauritzen”. He believes it is important to bring “Company Lauritzen” to Northern Norway for security policy reasons.
– It is important for As Norge and the Norwegian Armed Forces. Maybe it’s not that it adds to Harstad and Trondenes, but it’s important for Northern Norway with the security situation we have and the opportunity for defense to recruit in the future, he said in the debate.
TV2: – Depending on local media
The reality show starring Kristian Ødegård and Dag Otto Lauritzen in the lead has been one of TV 2’s biggest hits in recent years.
The next season, which will debut in 2023, was recorded in Åndalsnes in Rauma earlier this year. The newspaper and Åndalsnes newspaper wrote in 2021 that the municipality offered millions to keep the record there.
– We are very happy that Harstad municipality and the local business community are so excited and see the value in being able to host one of Norway’s most popular TV programmes, writes the TV’s press officer, Jan-Petter Dahl in an email.
When asked why TV 2 or production company Seefood don’t pay each other, Dahl replies:
– To finance such a large television production, we also depend on local support. And this is money that goes directly into production. We hope to be able to bring the “Company” to Harstad, but we have not signed any definitive agreements yet.
– Much more important task
Frode Bygdnes, representative of Rødt City Council, also voted against the proposal
– We think that television companies should pay what it costs to produce their programs. It’s not very fair of them to pit municipalities against each other and ask them to pay seven million, we’re going to spend all that money getting people to stay at home and watch an ad financed TV series that’s already been rumored ? to be a million-dollar hit, she said in the debate.
It highlights the contrast between growing poverty in Norway and the priority of giving millions to a television production programme.
– When 45 people line up when the Salvation Army has to distribute food for the weekend, it’s a much more important task for the municipality than supporting TV 2.
VG presented the statements of TV 2 Bygdnes.
– Of course we don’t pit anyone against each other and understand that there are locally divided opinions on such media. It’s not unique, writes press officer Dahl.
Attractive for life
Opsal rejects the criticisms of Rødt and MDG.
– There is something called “income acquisition expenses”. We are using this money because we believe that in the long run it will be useful for recruiting at Harstad and increasing income for the business world, she says.
– Almost all cities in Norway with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants are experiencing population decline. So we have to work every day to make ourselves attractive to people who come here, she says.
Harstad Municipality’s slogan is even ‘Attractive for Life’.
In the city council 2 deputies voted against the money for the TV series, while a significant majority of 31 deputies voted in favour.
– I would rather say that a negligible majority voted against, says the mayor.
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