Netflix may have 20% local EU content
The proposed European Union directive would insist on a quota of content from within Europe. The move is to protect the film industries, cultures, and languages of the European Union.
The proposal includes a requirement that such services have better measures to protect minors from violent content, and to protect viewers of all ages from content that is an incitement to hatred. Symbols or phrases must be created to warn viewers of potentially harmful video content.
EU Digital Commissioner, Günther Oettinger, said the proposals were to ensure “a level playing field”.
Netflix is opposed to the idea of the quota, but has stressed that it is already investing in local content.
Associate professor at the School of Law at Trinity College, Eoin O’Dell, said that the changes are unlikely to make much difference, as most of the big players in the market already meet the quota.
“This is bringing streaming broadcasting regulations into line with the terrestrial broadcasting legislation that already applies. It’s part of creating the digital single market, which is a big project of the current commission, and it’s laying down a marker for the future.”
