EU Content Quota

From the BBC:

"Netflix and Amazon face quota on EU-made content"

On-demand video streaming services face a call that at least 20% of the catalogues they offer to EU subscribers should be made locally. The European Commission has also proposed that the programming must be given "good visibility".  It says there are cultural benefits to the move, which would affect Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. However, one expert suggested the new rules might not have as much impact on what was on offer as intended. The call is part of a proposed update to the 28-nation bloc's Audiovisual Media Services directive.

Other measures include:

• a requirement that video-sharing platforms including YouTube adopt "better" measures to protect minors from violent content and people of all ages from clips that act as an incitement to hatred
• a call for the creation of new symbols or phrases that would warn viewers of potentially harmful video content - such as bad language, sex or drugs - that would be used across the EU by both broadcasters and internet-based platforms
• the ability for TV broadcasters to have more flexibility as to when they show adverts

EU rules already oblige TV broadcasters to:

• invest about 20% of their revenues into making or commissioning original content
• to spend at least 50% of their time showing European works, including material made in their own country

But since audiences are spending increasing amounts of their time watching on-demand services, the EU civil service thinks the new measure is required. On-demand platforms would have to ensure at least a 20% of the catalogue they offered to EU subscribers was made up of "European works" and that this content was given prominence on viewers' screens. This would not be enforced centrally from Brussels. Rather, individual countries would have the right to demand the likes of Netflix and Amazon invest in local productions and/or buy the rights to EU-made shows and films. Netflix said it was against quotas, but was already investing in local content.

^ I know many countries place these kinds of quotas and restrictions on radio stations, TV channels and movie theaters. I don't agree with it. It is censorship. People are going to see and listen to the media that they are interested in regardless if it is American-made, Canadian-made or EU-made. Those that make good quality and interesting media will have no issues finding an audience. ^

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-36378078