Mar 1, Submissions open for TV & Online Content Funding Programme

The objective of support to TV & Online Content funding is to increase the capacity of audiovisual producers to develop and produce strong projects with significant potential to circulate throughout Europe and beyond. It also facilitates European and international co-productions within the television and online sector.

This funding aims to strengthen the independence of producers in relation to broadcasters and digital platforms. It enhances collaboration between operators, including independent producers, broadcasters, digital platforms and sales agents. Particular attention will be given to projects presenting innovative aspects in the content and in the financing that show a clear link with the envisaged distribution strategies.

What is the purpose of the funding?

Increased production of high quality European works for linear and non-linear broadcasting including on digital platforms, as well as an increase in the number of co-productions.

Enhanced cooperation between operators from different countries participating in the MEDIA Strand, including between broadcasters.

Increased audience for European works through linear and non-linear broadcasting including on digital platforms.

Who can apply?

These are selective and indicative only – please refer to the Call Document for specifics about eligibility.

Independent European Production companies from countries participating in the MEDIA Strand.

Applications by single applicants are allowed (single beneficiaries; affiliated entities are allowed, if needed), as well as proposals submitted by a consortium of at least 2 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities).

The work must involve the participation of at least two broadcasting companies from two countries participating in the MEDIA Strand. A “broadcasting company” is considered any broadcaster (linear audiovisual media service provider) or on-demand audiovisual media service (non-linear audiovisual media service provider) as defined in Article 1(1) of the Audiovisual Media Service Directive (DIR 2010/13/EU and DIR 2018/1808/EU amending DIR 2010/13/EU). The broadcasters’ involvement must be supported by contracts or signed binding letters of commitment which specify the conditions of their financial involvement and include the licence price and licence period. Letters which do not include these mandatory elements will not be taken into consideration. Letters showing a preliminary interest, letters of intent subject to final screening and letters agreeing to possibly buy the work once produced are not considered as binding letters of commitment.

Minimum of 40% of the financing of the total estimated production budget must be guaranteed from third party sources of finance, such as contributions from broadcasters, distributors, funds and private and/or public equity investors. Tax shelter is only accepted as a third party source of finance if confirmed by supporting documents from the competent bodies.

A minimum of 50% of the total estimated financing must come from countries participating in the MEDIA Strand.

Only the production activities for the following works intended primarily for the purposes of television or online exploitation are eligible:

Drama films (one-off or series) of a total duration of minimum 90 minutes

Animation (one-off or series) of a total duration of minimum 24 minutes

Creative documentaries (one-off or series) of a total duration of minimum of 50 minutes.

Works which are designed to be a series with a joint distribution and marketing strategy have to be submitted as a series. Single episodes of a series cannot be split into separate applications.

Funding available for

The TV and online content action supports drama films, animation, and documentary intended for linear and non-linear broadcasting. Applications should demonstrate:

Strong cooperation between operators from different countries participating in the MEDIA Strand, including between broadcasters;

High creative/artistic value and wide cross-border exploitation potential able to reach audiences at European and international level;

Innovative aspects in terms of the content and the financing that show a clear link with the envisaged distribution strategies.

Adequate strategies to ensure a more sustainable and more environmentally-respectful industry in particular through the use of greening consultants allowing to reduce the environmental impact of productions and shoots;

Ensure gender balance, inclusion, diversity and representativeness.

How much can you apply for?

For creative documentaries, the maximum grant amount is €300,000 per project.

For animation works, the maximum grant amount is €500,000 per project.

For drama works, the maximum grant amount per project is: €500,000 if the eligible production budget is below €10m; it’s €1m if the eligible production budget is between €10m and €20m; €2m if the eligible production budget is above €20m.

The grant awarded may be lower than the amount requested.

The grant will be a lump sum grant. This means that it will reimburse a fixed amount, based on a lump sum or financing not linked to costs. The amount will be fixed by the granting authority on the basis of the estimated project budget and a funding rate of maximum 20%.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; Submissions open for TV & Online Content Funding Programme

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