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In the ever-evolving world of media and entertainment, the UK and EU continue to shape their production financing and commissioning landscapes. This article provides an overview of the latest updates in this domain, highlighting key developments and ongoing debates.
Warner Bros. Discovery is set to expand its streaming platform, HBO Max, into 12 new countries this July, marking a significant move in the international streaming market. Meanwhile, ZDFneo, a German broadcaster, has commissioned My Ex, a local adaptation of Keshet's Mythological Ex, indicating a growing trend of adaptation and localisation in European content.
In the UK, the government has announced a substantial increase in its direct lending facility by UK Export Finance (UKEF) to £13 billion. This funding aims to boost British exports in key industrial sectors, including clean industries, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and defence, indirectly stimulating production financing by increasing demand for UK-manufactured products and services.
The UK government has also committed to maintaining and enhancing the competitiveness of its Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC). As of April 2025, there is a 5% uplift in relief for VFX costs and an increase to 53% relief for independent films. The government plans to benchmark the UK's film and high-end television tax incentives regularly against other countries and adjust them to remain competitive.
However, the UK is navigating complex capital allowance reforms affecting production financing. Recent clarifications and guidance updates on capital allowances related to plant and machinery are crucial for sectors requiring significant capital investment. Yet, upcoming legislative changes on capital allowances for pre-development costs aimed at supporting major UK development projects have been postponed.
In a notable development, the UK government has rejected the introduction of a streaming levy on international streaming platforms to fund UK production. Despite pressure from parliamentary committees, the government prefers to collaborate with the industry rather than impose new levies, meaning that while UK production benefits from streaming investment, additional mandatory funding mechanisms are currently on hold.
The EU context, while not detailed in the recent updates, is likely to continue its existing frameworks involving film funds, creative sector tax credits, and green industrial investment to support production financing, aligned with broader EU industrial and cultural policies.
In other news, various production houses and studios are making strides in the realm of AI, animation, and partnerships. For instance, Blumhouse and Atomic Monster are developing a film adaptation of the viral horror game Phasmophobia, and Netflix has partnered with Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms to develop new Indian stories.
These updates underscore the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of production financing and commissioning in the UK and EU. As the industry continues to adapt and innovate, we can expect to see more exciting developments in the coming months.
- In the realm of business and technology, Warner Bros. Discovery is set to expand its streaming platform, HBO Max, into 12 new countries, demonstrating a notable trend in the global streaming market.
- Simultaneously, technology is playing a significant role in the entertainment industry as production houses and studios, such as Blumhouse and Atomic Monster, explore AI, animation, and partnerships to develop new projects.
