Streaming services will have to pay Belgian actors and musicians, government decides

An agreement has been reached within the Belgian federal government that performing artists will be able to collect remuneration from streaming services, writes Flemish daily newspaper De Standaard. “As actors, we are finally on the digital train”, reacts actor Michaël Pas of the Flemish Actors Guild.

On digital platforms such as Spotify and Netflix, actors and musicians currently receive no compensation if a production they worked on is streamed. Different rules apply to online services than to linear radio or TV stations, where performing artists do receive rights each time a song, series or film is played. Interest groups have been complaining about this problem for years, with more and more people listening to music or watching fiction online. The federal government is now answering the plea of performing artists to put an end to this problem.

The newly approved legislative text states that streamers must provide an “untransferable right of remuneration for performers”, writes De Standaard. This remuneration is collectively enforceable, making sure that artists will not have to negotiate individually with streaming companies. The existing company Playright, which currently collects remunerations in Belgium, will be responsible for this. Playright will also have to negotiate specific percentages directly with the streaming services, as these percenteges are not mentioned in legislation.

"In recent years, we have watched powerlessly as the TV market shrunk and digital exploitation opportunities have only increased."

Actor Michaël Pas of the Actors Guild of Flanders hailed the decision as good news. The fact that this principle has now been laid down by the government is “extremely important”, he reacted in De Standaard. “In recent years, we have watched powerlessly as the TV market shrunk and digital exploitation opportunities have only increased. In the future, more series and films will be made by streaming services, and not appear on TV. As actors, we are finally on the digital train.”

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