Denmark hits streaming services with levy to support local TV

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – Lawmakers in Denmark have agreed world TV streaming companies comparable to Netflix, Amazon and Disney should pay a levy of 6% of their income within the nation to help native TV manufacturing.

The invoice, which was agreed on Saturday, comes as governments throughout Europe attempt to safe help for native TV and movie manufacturing following the fast rise within the recognition of streaming companies.

“Denmark should go so far as potential in offering good public service to kids and younger folks, which might function an actual different to the tech giants’ platforms and overseas content material,” the Ministry of Tradition mentioned in an announcement on Saturday.

It added the fragmented media panorama following the entry of world streaming companies “can problem the cohesion and democratic dialogue in our nation.”

Switzerland and Portugal have launched related measures and Spain is because of introduce a levy.

U.S. streaming companies have already made a number of productions in Denmark. Lately, Netflix partnered with Danish broadcaster DR to supply the fourth season of “Borgen” which aired this yr.

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Enhancing by Mark Potter)