According to Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer, the German government anticipates investments of about 15.5 billion euros in the domestic film sector by 2030. Streaming services and broadcasters have committed to at least 1.83 billion euros to avert legal requirements. This aims to bolster the industry but sparks political discussions on enforceability.
Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer has stated in a paper for the coalition committee that the federal government expects investments of about 15.5 billion euros in Germany's film sector by 2030. This document is available to Reuters news agency.
International streaming services and private video-on-demand providers have committed in writing to invest at least 1.83 billion euros over the next five years. This is supplemented by pledges of around seven billion euros from private TV broadcasters and 5.5 billion euros from public broadcasters for productions.
The streaming providers use these commitments to prevent a legal investment obligation, which the SPD primarily demands. The SPD parliamentary group emphasized this week: "Only a clear, legally anchored investment obligation ensures that, especially streaming services, reinvest a fixed share of their revenues generated in Germany into local productions."
Weimer highlights the advantages of voluntary self-commitments and does not rule out further steps in case of non-compliance. The paper states: "The goal particularly sought by the SPD of a legal solution remains on the political agenda – also to discipline the committers." He argues that voluntary pledges are easier to convey internationally, particularly with regard to US trade policy. A legal requirement could be seen in the US as discrimination and provoke sanctions.
Financially, Weimer evaluates the 1.83 billion euros as a success, as they exceed possible legal requirements of ten percent of revenue and are only slightly below 15 percent of German VoD revenues of around 2.18 billion euros. Mandatory investments could, under European law, also flow outside Germany. From 2026, the federal budget includes an additional 250 million euros for film funding, which should provide a significant boost to the industry.