YouTube and TikTok have to invest in Flemish content, regional government decides

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok in Belgium's Dutch-speaking north will, from now on, fall under the Flemish 'stimulus scheme', meaning they have to start contributing to investments in Flemish content. The Flemish regional government decided this on Friday, Media minister Benjamin Dalle reports.

The stimulus scheme was launched in 2014 to oblige television distributors Telenet and Proximus to invest in Flemish programmes. The series 'De Bende van Jan de Lichte' and 'Black-Out', among others, came about this way. Streaming platforms like Netflix or its Flemish counterpart Streamz were also included in this legislation. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok were exempt.

Distributors' contributions for Flemish productions will now be increased (almost doubled, ed.). For streaming platforms like Netflix and Streamz, the contribution for turnover generated from Flemish content increases from 2 to 4 per cent. Major video platform services such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok are now covered too. They, too, will pay a percentage on their revenue, ranging from 2 to a maximum of 4 per cent. Furthermore, films will henceforth also fall under the arrangement, which so far only included series.

Together, the adjustments should ensure a doubling of investments in Flemish films and series, claims the government claims.

(BRV)

^{#FlandersNewsService | Flemish minister of Youth, Media and Brussels Affairs Benjamin Dalle © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}