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Germany Mandates Streamer Investment in Local Film
6 Feb
Summary
- German government requires streamers to invest 8% of turnover in local productions.
- Federal funding for German film production will nearly double to €250 million.
- Streamers must relinquish certain rights, ending the work-for-hire model.
Germany has introduced new legislation compelling international streamers and domestic broadcasters to allocate a minimum of 8% of their annual revenue towards European film and television production. This move, unveiled ahead of the Berlin film festival, is designed to bolster the German audiovisual sector. The regulations also stipulate that streamers must cede certain rights to producers, thereby ending the standard work-for-hire arrangement.
To further support the industry, the German federal government plans to nearly double its annual funding for film production, increasing it to €250 million ($295 million). This dual approach of mandatory investment and increased funding seeks to counteract the trend of streamers prioritizing less expensive reality shows and smaller dramas over high-budget productions.
While industry groups representing streamers have expressed disappointment, calling the proposals "outdated," production bodies and historic studios like Babelsberg have welcomed the announcement. They anticipate these changes will provide crucial long-term planning security and affirm Germany's position as an attractive production hub, sending a positive signal ahead of the Berlinale.
