Streaming services receive push for financial backing from Weimer

The German government has announced a significant increase in funding for game projects and the film industry, with the aim of strengthening the domestic industry and attracting international investments.

According to the plans, the state will cover up to 50 percent of development costs for game projects with a minimum size of 300,000 euros, with a maximum funding amount of 8 million euros. This move is expected to benefit large productions like Michael 'Bully' Herbig's Kanu of Manitu.

Research Minister Dorothee Bär has earmarked 125 million euros for game funding, while a significant increase in funding for film funding is expected from 2026, with 250 million euros earmarked in Weimer's budget alone.

In a bid to put international providers under stronger obligation, Media State Minister Wolfram Weimer has invited a follow-up meeting at the Chancellery, attended by ARD, ZDF, RTL, ProSiebenSat.1, Sky, Telekom, Paramount, and US streaming services Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+. The goal is to strengthen the domestic film industry.

However, the details of the investments from these streaming services, along with other companies expected to invest more in German film productions, have not been disclosed.

The subsidies for game projects are provided as a 'non-repayable grant', meaning that studios and publishers do not have to repay the subsidies, regardless of the commercial success of a game. This is part of a larger plan to provide 'tax incentives' and 'reliable programs' for German game developers.

Weimer is pushing for a 'quid pro quo' and demanding that providers invest more in German film productions. The plan for film funding still needs approval from the Bundestag and Bundesrat. Weimer also plans to submit a draft for an 'investment commitment law' to create the basis for sustainable value creation.

The law will take into account the different business models (free TV, cinema, pay TV, etc.) and be designed flexibly to allow for certain conditions to deviate from the requirements. The law is intended to create a more attractive environment for investments in the German film industry.

The increased funding and incentives are part of a broader effort to boost the German entertainment industry and make it more competitive on the global stage.