The Finnish government has set up a working group to establish an arrangement that would obligate video streaming platforms to pay fees to operate in the country.
The funds from those obligatory payments would be directed towards the production of domestic films and TV shows, according to a government press release.
The working group was set up by the ministry of education and culture as well as the transport and communications ministry.
Due to a change in EU rules, member states have opportunities to broaden bases of funding for domestic audiovisual productions.
According to the EU Commission's Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), streaming media is also subject to the EU's single market rules — just like traditional television programming.
The directive also means, according to the government, that streaming platforms can be subject to payments or investment obligations that would be used by a member state's film and TV production sector.
According to the government, the goal is to strengthen production of domestic media content and productions as well as improve the accessibility of minority linguistic and cultural content. In addition, the plan aims to improve growth in the domestic media sector, as well as increase its international visibility and make it more competitive.
Similar obligatory payment arrangements are already in place in 17 EU countries, including Denmark and Norway.
Norway's arrangement, for example, obliges streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime and AppleTV to invest in domestic TV and movie productions.
The Finnish government plans to present a legislative proposal about the matter next year.
