The independence movement is putting pressure on Netflix to offer more content in the Catalan language

The independence He was maneuvering for some time to try to get the law to force platforms TV on request To offer its viewers a percentage of its content in the Catalan language. That is, to ensure something that they did not consider from a business point of view to be overly profitable, since there are languages ​​in its catalog like Catalan, Basque, or Galician It is reduced.

And the last to raise the volume, in this sense, was the highest authority in this independent society in terms of television and radio.Roger Laubacher President of the Audiovisual Council of Catalonia, which pressured Spanish and regional governments to adapt their regulations to this requirement.

She did so knowing that – according to board private data – Netflix reaches 1.5 million homes, compared to 815,000. Amazon Prime Video, Nearly 400,000 from HBO and 235,000 from Disney +.

The Audiovisual Act of Catalonia (22/2005) It indicates that “the language commonly used by public telecommunications service providers” must be Catalan. It also affects Generalitat’s ability to distribute Public aid In order to fulfill this obligation.

Article 53 states this Licenses for local television in this independent community They are required to display “programming that uses the Catalan language for at least 50% of the broadcast time, including programs at prime times, in addition to other obligations set forth in the regulations on language policy”.

Omission of any of the duties related to the existence of Catalan or Catalan culture by licensees, in accordance with the law, a A serious offense.

CAC and Netflix

The problem for freelancers is that imposing these rules on new audiovisual media is not a simple task like the traditional ones. Among them, those public domain (Radio Catalonia and TV3), which Generalitat has permanently dominated since its inception.

Given these difficulties, Kak – Independence – seized the opportunity to claim the new Spanish audiovisual law Require TV platforms on demand to allocate a minimum percentage of programs in the Catalan language.

According to the bill, which has already passed the stage of public consultation, these services must guarantee a share of at least 30% of their catalog in European audiovisual works, and from this quota, 50% must be in the official language of the state Or in one of the languages ​​of the Autonomous Communities.

CAC already claimed a few months ago that 50% of 50% of the official languages ​​reserved in Spain, 50% are for Catalan, Basque or Galician, which will help alleviate their status. ”Linguistic instabilityIn the audio-visual panorama.

The organization goes further and asks for an increase in the number of translated content into Catalan on these platforms. New regulations are also required NetflixAnd the Amazon And the company to Which contributes 10% of its income to financing European businessesCompared to 5% was raised in the bill.

CAC precedents

It should be noted that the Codex Alimentarius Commission is a body originated to be called Independent judge for the audiovisual media in Catalonia. This means that the person responsible for distributing audiovisual licenses and controlling that television and radio companies – and now online media – in this autonomous community adheres to current regulations.

The truth is that its current boss, Roger Laubacher – who exercised it as his mandate expired – he repeatedly defended the interests of the pro-independence formations. He adopted decisions such as the one that acquitted Monica Terribias (Former broadcaster of Catalonia Radio Al-Sabah) after he appealed to citizens to reveal the position of the Civil Guard who were trying to prevent the holding of the 1-O referendum.

After independence consultations held in 2014 before Artur MasCAC has threatened Onda Cero, Cadena SER or COPE By opening a file to refuse to broadcast advertising footage for this “public referendum” that was previously banned Constitutional court.

Now, Loppacher is giving voice to some of the allegations approved by the CAC a few months ago and standing by the pro-independence associations that have cast arrows against Netflix Due to the scarcity of the presence of Catalan in its audiovisual presentation.