Following a binding referendum on "Lex Netflix", international streaming services must invest 4% revenue they achieve in Switzerland, in local film production. Investments may take the form of buying locally created programmes, creating programmes on their own, or entering an investment fund.
Swiss voters supported the proposal that global television streaming services such as Netflix Inc (NFLX.O), Amazon (AMZN.O) and Disney (DIS.N), invest some of their revenue in Switzerland in national film production.
A Little Over 58% The voters supported the proposal, as the final result, in one of three national votes in the Swiss direct democracy system. Switzerland will become the latest European country to introduce such measures to support local television and film production and to increase the content produced locally.
"This result highlights the cultural importance of filmmaking in Switzerland," said Swiss Minister of Interior Alain Berset.
Netflix said he respected the outcome and will work with the government implementing the regulation. "We believe that good stories can come from anywhere, and already in the past we have invested in content from Switzerland," said the spokesman Netflix. Amazon refused to comment, and Disney did not respond to the request for comment.
A similar bill was passed in Portugal, where streaming service providers must pay 1% his income to the Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual.
Denmark is considering introducing a fee and Spain is to introduce it. France and Italy make streaming services invest some of their revenue in European content in local languages.