Boost for Cork Netflix and Disney Plus Users with Minister’s Levy Vow

Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has welcomed the decision by his colleague Minister Patrick O’Donovan to postpone indefinitely the introduction of a levy on streaming companies, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and others, will benefit consumers.

Deputy O’Shea said “People in Cork are working hard, and paying for a range of bills already and any levy on these companies would end up being passed on to the people through a hike in their subscriptions. This will now not be happening and I really welcome this intervention by Minister O’Donovan on this”.

The cabinet met on Tuesday and approved the Revised General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. These will enhance value-for-money, accountability, and transparency in RTÉ and TG4 and will also provide greater funding for independent producers.

Minister O’Donovan obtained Government approval for six key amendments:

1. Ensure that the imposition of a content production levy, which could impose costs on Irish consumers, is subject to Ministerial decision.

2. RTÉ to be required by law to spend at least 25% of its public funding on content commissioned from the independent production sector and allow Coimisiún na Meán to increase this percentage, with Ministerial agreement, in the context of the 3-year reviews of the adequacy of public funding.

3. Extend media codes, duties and rules to all content published by RTÉ and TG4.

4. Tighter controls of RTÉ and TG4’s Annual Performance Commitments by Coimisiún na Meán, starting in 2026.

5. Provide for the anonymised disclosure by RTÉ and TG4 of employee benefits and contractors’ remuneration.

6. Exclude RTÉ and TG4 from applying for direct public funding under the Media Fund, given that they are already in receipt of public funding to fulfil their statutory public service objects.

Welcoming the approval of the amendments, Minister O’Donovan said: “It is vital that the Government considers the needs of the public and the media sector as a whole. These amendments will in fact provide greater support for the independent production sector. I have added a layer of protection for the Irish consumer by ensuring that Coimisiún na Meán may only impose a content production levy on broadcasters and video-on-demand providers following a direction of the Minister, which I have no intention of directing or allowing until such a time as I am satisfied that such a levy will not impose an undue burden on people”.