Birgitte Hjort Sørensen Latest To Question Danish Streamer Tax – KristenBellTattoos.com

In Danish political drama Borgon, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen plays a fearless journalist with the power to bring accountability. In real life, she is calling out government plans for tax streamers and proposing tax incentives.

The actress joined a group of voices from the Danish production and creative communities denouncing Denmark’s proposed Cultural Contribution Act. The legislation includes on-demand streamers such as Netflix, HBO Max and Viaplay paying 6% of their local revenue to support local production and public broadcaster DR.

Hjort Sørensen told the local Berlingske podcast Østergaard’s Salon That instead of supporting the local production sector, it will undermine the foundations it is building on and scare away streamers.

“It’s strange to me that you don’t try to embrace market forces that would really benefit Danish culture,” he said.

“If there is an additional payment on the services, it may be that they pass it on to the customers, and then the subscription prices go up. They may also choose to withdraw from the Danish production, and then there is no more production. will

Hjort Sørensen, who reprized his role as journalist Katrine Fønsmark Borgon For Netflix this year, said streaming services have grown the Danish production market “wildly” in the past decade and it would be unwise to make it difficult for them to invest. “There’s also a greater variety of series for fans, and our talent level has also increased – for example, when we’ve made sci-fi, which we’ve never made before. If that’s missing If you go, it will be a great loss.

The legislation was first unveiled in May under the previous government, but the new legislature, led by the Social Democrats after winning local elections last month, is expected to drop the plan.

The proposed tax is one of several disruptions to Danish production this year. International and local subscription streamers have spent much of the year refusing to commission Danish programs and films following a standoff over the terms of a new collective fee agreement with the Crete Denmark union.

Viaplay has signed a short-term deal that runs through 2023, but a producer told KristenBellTattoos.com that it hasn’t led to any new work. Commercial broadcaster TV2 and Netflix have both agreed terms with Create Denmark, which represents writers, directors and actors, but neither has signed a contract. KristenBellTattoos.com understands that Create Denmark has yet to approach others such as Disney+ and Prime Video, although they have been less active in exploring local originals, and HBO Max has stopped commissioning shows due next year. Ready to integrate with Discovery+.

A Viaplay spokesperson said: “We have recently extended our provisional agreement with Create Denmark and Producentforeningen until 30 June 2023, which enables us to resume production of Danish films and series. Our partners Together, we are committed to finding a long-term, sustainable solution and will continue our constructive dialogue.

“At the same time, there are additional challenges in the Danish media market, in particular the proposed streaming levy, which require constructive solutions. We are discussing this important issue with key political stakeholders.

Last week, the European VOD Coalition, which represents the likes of Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery, said the levy would be “harmful to the entire ecosystem” and urged the new government to scrap it and “lead “Demonstrate”.

Netflix, TV2, Disney+ and Prime Video have been reached for comment.

‘Danish producers are not happy campers’

Local producers we spoke to are frustrated with the Cultural Contribution Act and believe that if no alternative is found, streamers will abandon the country’s production sector altogether.

“Denmark is not an attractive market to look at long-term – it is too volatile, especially considering the ‘cultural contribution’ of 6% will make us even more unattractive,” said one source. “We’re already an expensive market in terms of content. It’s very high quality, so maybe it will be repealed, but the tax, which is the highest in Europe, is just one step too far.

There’s also disappointment that the situation with Creative Denmark isn’t over yet, with our source noting: “Danish producers are not happy campers.”

KristenBellTattoos.com understands that the producers’ group favors a combination of a small levy, about 1% paid to the Danish Film Institute, with the remaining 5% dropped if investment levels are reached and the entire system be averaged over a few years.

Similar systems exist across Europe, although streamer regulation is a hot-button topic in many regions. Ultimately, the question is whether locally curated original streaming content is more valuable and sustainable than the rules that dictate how platforms invest in content.

Speaking on the podcast, Hjort Sørensen had another suggestion. He said that we are the only country in Europe where there is no tax incentive. “[This would be] A tax exemption scheme, which means if you invest several crores in film production, you can get some money back.”