The European Parliament’s culture committee wants higher quotas of local content for on-video videos shown on platforms like Netflix and Sky Go, according to amendments obtained by POLITICO.
The Commission originally sought a 20 percent quota in its Audio Visual Media Services Directive unveiled in May. That level was backed by a small group of British MEPs.
The legislation would force on-demand services to financially contribute to the production of European works and oblige them to allocate some their catalogs to European content. It also tackles hate speech and introduces changes to advertising, such as giving broadcasters more choice about when ads appear, and allows greater product placement and sponsorship.
But the Culture and Education Committee want companies to do more.
At the top end of the range was Spanish MEP Ramon Tremosa i Balcells, who proposed a 50 percent quota for local programs.
Vice-chair, Helga Trüpel, suggested 30 percent, a figure that was also supported by MEPs Dominique Bilde, Marie-Christine Boutonnet, Sylvie Guillaume, Pervenche Berès and Josep-Maria Terricabras.
Some MEPs, including Kaja Kallas of Estonia and Marietje Schaake of the Netherlands, don’t want quotas at all.
The culture committee is expected to push through higher quotas in a December vote. The full Parliament will vote in February. That will lead to tense negotiations with the Commission and Council.
