The high-end TV series must be independent. In other words, an applicant as a legal entity is independent of end operators, has the decisive voice in making decisions on content, production and execution and has sufficient commercial freedom with regard to the exploitation and screening of the high-end TV series.

Only high-end TV series, that is drama series, animated series and documentary series that satisfy the cultural criteria, requirements and conditions of the scheme, are eligible for a contribution.

In broad terms, the following conditions must be met:

The television/VOD broadcast in the Netherlands is guaranteed. In the case of international drama, documentary or animated series, they must be intended for publication in two or more countries, with the Netherlands being one of the countries of origin of the co-producers.
High-end TV series on the basis of which an application is submitted must be fully developed in artistic terms. The scripts, director’s vision and, in the case of animation, the style guide appended to the application must be ready for production.
A minimum price per minute applies as a lower limit for the production budget:
Documentary series: €4,000 per broadcast minute
Animated series: €8,000 per broadcast minute
Drama series for children below the age of 12: a minimum of 10,000 euros in production costs per broadcast minute for a series between 10 and 25 minutes per episode or a minimum of 8,000 euros per broadcast minute for a series longer than 25 minutes.
Drama series (other): €12,000 per broadcast minute
To be eligible for a financial contribution for a Single Episode the production costs per episode must be at least one million euros. The production costs must, in the opinion of the Fund, be budgeted in line with the market and realistically and be directly connected with the realisation of the series.
At the time of application, at least 50% of the production budget must have been promised by third parties (no guarantees or deferments) unconditionally and demonstrably in writing.
Only applications achieving a minimum of 75 points - including points for a minimum of two main positions - are eligible. For international (co-)productions with a minority share of the financing from the Netherlands spending one million or more qualifying production costs in the Netherlands, one main position is sufficient and points can be allocated for other positions if they are responsible for the execution of the production in the Netherlands. For animated series with a minority of the financing from the Netherlands, the positions count if they involve main responsibility for the production in the Netherlands. Since this is an incentive scheme, the basic principle is that only points are included in part 1. Creative talent and leading crew members (see Points System) who are separate from the team of (co-)producers.
A contribution is only made in the event of a minimum spend of 15% in qualifying production costs.
The applicant is obliged to produce the high-end TV series in accordance with the information submitted with the application, including the number of points set down in the decision.
The high-end TV series must be fully financed within six months of the date of the decision and at the latest before the start of shooting, after which the Fund’s Implementation Agreement will be drawn up.
The high-end TV series must be complete and published through television/VOD broadcast within 36 months of conclusion of the Implementation Agreement.
If the application is rejected, it can be submitted one more time in a subsequent application round.

The detailed requirements for the applicant and the application are set out in the Netherlands Film Production Incentive Scheme/Addendum.

Subsidies for high-end series

Realisation (1)

Netherlands Film Production Incentive High-End Series