Amendment to the Film Act

1. Vaud✓ Yes majority, Yes share 76.1%, Turnout 38%
2. Geneva✓ Yes majority, Yes share 74.6%, Turnout 41%
3. Neuchâtel✓ Yes majority, Yes share 70.5%, Turnout 35%
4. Basel-Stadt✓ Yes majority, Yes share 66.2%, Turnout 45%
5. Jura✓ Yes majority, Yes share 64.7%, Turnout 42%
6. Fribourg✓ Yes majority, Yes share 63.9%, Turnout 33%
7. Bern✓ Yes majority, Yes share 59.8%, Turnout 37%
8. Valais✓ Yes majority, Yes share 59.0%, Turnout 38%
9. Ticino✓ Yes majority, Yes share 58.1%, Turnout 39%
10. Graubünden✓ Yes majority, Yes share 56.6%, Turnout 43%
11. Lucerne✓ Yes majority, Yes share 56.0%, Turnout 41%
12. Basel-Landschaft✓ Yes majority, Yes share 55.9%, Turnout 40%
13. Zurich✓ Yes majority, Yes share 55.6%, Turnout 45%
14. Solothurn✓ Yes majority, Yes share 53.7%, Turnout 38%
15. Aargau✓ Yes majority, Yes share 52.3%, Turnout 38%
16. Zug✓ Yes majority, Yes share 52.0%, Turnout 45%
17. Appenzell Ausserrhoden✓ Yes majority, Yes share 52.0%, Turnout 43%
18. Glarus✓ Yes majority, Yes share 51.9%, Turnout 38%
19. St. Gallen✓ Yes majority, Yes share 50.6%, Turnout 38%
20. Uri✗ No majority, Yes share 49.8%, Turnout 31%
21. Thurgau✗ No majority, Yes share 49.6%, Turnout 38%
22. Nidwalden✗ No majority, Yes share 49.6%, Turnout 45%
23. Appenzell Innerrhoden✗ No majority, Yes share 47.8%, Turnout 33%
24. Obwalden✗ No majority, Yes share 45.8%, Turnout 39%
25. Schwyz✗ No majority, Yes share 42.4%, Turnout 44%
26. Schaffhausen✗ No majority, Yes share 42.2%, Turnout 63%

✓ Yes majority · ✗ No majority · Turnout %

Sources: Federal Statistical Office (FSO); older votes: Swissvotes, Année Politique Suisse, University of Bern; map base: FSO, GEOSTAT

Cantons by their majority language: Fribourg and Valais count as French-speaking, Bern and Graubünden as German-speaking.

Yes or no?

What exactly is it about?

The Confederation supports Swiss film production, because the film markets of the language regions are small. Swiss television channels contribute as well: since 2007, private channels have had to invest 4 per cent of their turnover in film production in Switzerland. But more and more films and series are watched through streaming services such as Netflix or Disney+. For these services, which often operate worldwide, there has so far been no such obligation in Switzerland. The amendment to the Film Act requires domestic and foreign streaming services to invest 4 per cent of their turnover earned in Switzerland in Swiss film production. They choose themselves which films or series to invest in. Those that do not invest, or invest too little, pay a substitute levy for Swiss film promotion. The obligation also applies to foreign television channels with advertising windows for Switzerland. In addition, at least 30 per cent of a streaming service’s offering must be films and series produced in Europe. For television channels, a quota of 50 per cent already applies today. Parliament has passed the amendment. A referendum was called against it. Only a majority of the voters is needed.

What is disputed?

The Federal Council and Parliament recommend a yes. They say the amendment closes a gap opened by the digital change and treats television channels and streaming services, and domestic and foreign providers, equally. In their view it strengthens Switzerland as a production location, with jobs, orders for local businesses and cultural diversity. They call the 30 per cent quota moderate, because providers already meet it in the EU, and consider higher prices unlikely. The referendum committee recommends a no. It considers the 30 per cent quota unfair, because the European films would need to meet no quality requirements, popular productions from Asia or Latin America would get less room and diversity would suffer. It compares the investment obligation to a special tax and is convinced that subscriptions will become more expensive. It also sees an intrusion into economic freedom and a precedent that could affect other providers such as Spotify.

Party recommendations