New content levy will be key investment opportunity for Irish independent production sector

Dublin, Wednesday 30 November 2022: Screen Producers Ireland welcomes the positive position adopted by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin in recognising the vital role of independent producers with respect to the content levy plans that are being finalised this evening.

Screen Producers Ireland (SPI) is the representative organisation for independent producers across Ireland, and they, alongside their peers in other key industry organisations (listed below in full) have been advocating on behalf of those working across the AV Sector for the introduction of a content levy in Ireland since revised European Union’s AV media services directive in 2018. Since then, several European member states have already introduced a content levy and other investment obligations to the benefit of indigenous, independent productions in those countries.

This evening, the Oireachtas are debating the final stages of the Online Media Safety and Regulation Bill where it will agree a new content levy for Ireland.

As part of the legislation that will govern the new content levy:

• 80% of all investments from the contestable fund will be allocated to projects with independent producers attached;

• new rules will govern IP ownership deals between streamer and producers for projects funded by the new levy fund, enabling a return of investment for the producer;

• there will be a development fund will provide funding for project development;

• Irish language productions will receive 25% of the fund;

• Screen Ireland will have a key role in the work of fund alongside the new Media Commission, Coimisiún na Meán.

Susan Kirby, CEO of Screen Producers Ireland welcomed the news, “These new rules show the commitment that the Department, the Media Commission, and Screen Ireland are giving to the Irish independent production sector to ensure that funding from the content levy will help to create original, Irish content for both Irish and international audiences on global platforms. We are grateful to the cross political party Oireachtas Media Committee who have been very supportive of the introduction of a content levy, and recommended such in their pre-legislative scrutiny report earlier this year. I’d like to thank my colleagues and peers in the wider advocacy group, working together towards a common goal that has the potential to benefit the entire sector has proven successful. I look forward to working alongside one another as the plans are finalised and actioned.”

List of organisations in the content levy advocacy group:
Screen Producers Ireland, Animation Ireland, Screen Guilds of Ireland, Screen Directors Guild, Screen Composers Guild, Screen Writers Guild, RTÉ, TG4

ENDS

For more information and all media queries, go to:

Orlaith FitzGerald
Communications Executive, Screen Producers Ireland
087 262 3726
communications@screenproducersireland.com

About Screen Producers Ireland

Screen Producers Ireland (SPI) is the voice of independent producers in Ireland. SPI represents more than 180 Irish independent production companies who produce content for Irish broadcasters, funders and international audiences.

SPI’s aim is to ensure a working landscape that allows the industry to thrive. SPI uses its expertise and resources to forge a strong and sustainable position for creative entrepreneurs working in independent film, television, animation and digital production.

It is SPI’s responsibility to be an effective voice for the sector, to anticipate and address the needs of its members, to offer a platform to promote their work and to shape an independent production industry in line with the best international standards.