CEPI Warns of Serious Threats to the Czech Audiovisual Industry
Proposed cuts to the Czech Audiovisual Fund and the abolition of the public service media licence fee risk undermining independent production, international investment and the financial sustainability of Czech public service media. CEPI has today formally addressed its concerns to Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, urging the Government to reconsider the proposed measures.
Brussels, 26 October 2026
CEPI, the European association representing more than 3,000 independent film and television production companies across Europe, expresses its grave concern over recent proposals by the Czech Government that risk destabilising the country's audiovisual industry and weakening two essential pillars of its production ecosystem: the Czech Audiovisual Fund and Czech Television.
The Czech Ministry of Culture has announced plans for substantial funding cuts and fundamental changes to the governance and decision-making processes of the Czech Audiovisual Fund. These proposals threaten a recently reformed system developed through extensive consultation with the industry and designed to support domestic production, attract international investment and strengthen the Czech Republic's position as a competitive European production hub. Undermining the stability and predictability of this framework risks jeopardising years of progress and diverting future productions and investment to other markets.
At the same time, the Government's proposal to abolish licence fees and finance Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo) directly from the state budget raises serious concerns about the financial sustainability and independence of public service media. Czech Television could face an annual funding shortfall of approximately CZK 1.3 billion, representing nearly 19% of its projected licence fee revenues for 2027. Additional financial factors could make the overall impact substantially greater. As one of the country's major investors in original audiovisual content, Czech Television plays a crucial role in financing independent film and television production. A reduction of this scale would put its ability to commission new works, support independent producers and fulfil its public service remit under significant pressure.
The proposed changes also raise concerns regarding compliance with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). Article 5(3) requires Member States to ensure that public service media are adequately, sustainably and predictably funded through transparent and objective criteria established in advance, while safeguarding their editorial independence. Any reform of public service media financing must respect these requirements and provide sufficient guarantees against undue political influence.
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Taken together, these measures risk creating a damaging combination of reduced investment in independent production and weakened public service media. The consequences would extend beyond the Czech Republic, affecting European co-productions, international productions from outside Europe planning to shoot in the Czech Republic, cross-border partnerships, employment and the circulation of European audiovisual works. Countries depend on one another's production capacities and creative expertise to sustain a diverse and competitive European audiovisual landscape. Undermining the production ecosystem in one country also weakens the opportunities available to producers and creative professionals across Europe, ultimately putting European cultural diversity at risk.
Today, CEPI has formally addressed these concerns in a letter to Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, urging his Government to halt the announced funding cuts and fundamental changes to the Czech Audiovisual Fund, and to reconsider the proposed reform of public service media financing. CEPI calls for any future changes to be based on a thorough assessment of their economic and cultural impact, meaningful consultation with the audiovisual industry and respect for the applicable European legal framework.
The Czech Republic has built a strong and internationally respected audiovisual industry, supported by skilled professionals, established production infrastructure and effective cooperation between domestic and international partners. Preserving this achievement requires stable funding, predictable rules and strong institutions capable of supporting independent production and public service media. Sudden and far-reaching changes risk undermining not only the sustainability of the Czech audiovisual sector, but also the diversity and resilience of European audiovisual production as a whole.
About CEPI
CEPI, the European Audiovisual Production Association, represents independent audiovisual producers across Europe. Founded in 1990 and based in Brussels, it brings together national associations and trade unions representing the audiovisual production sector. CEPI represents more than 3,000 production companies across 17 countries, advocating for a competitive, diverse and sustainable European audiovisual industry.
