The Media, Entertainment & Technology Alliance applauds Governor Bill Haslam for signing the Tennessee Visual Content Modernization Act of 2018 (SB2236/HB1812), legislation that expands the types of entertainment companies eligible for state incentive grants.
 
Companies that produce computer-generated imagery, interactive digital media, streaming platforms and stand-alone post-production scoring and editing are now eligible for state incentives. Previously, state grants were only available to companies that produced films, movies, pilots or shows. 
 
“META lobbied for the inclusion of ‘streaming platforms’ as a qualified production under the Act,” META President Bob Zeglarski said. “We are pleased that Governor Haslam and the legislature supported our desire to keep those in the film and television industries working by providing incentive grants to online creators and distributors of audiovisual works.”
 
Since 2010, employment in Tennessee’s film industry has grown eight percent, and approximately 47,000 Tennesseans work in creative, tech and entertainment fields across the state, officials said.
 
“Content development and distribution is constantly changing in today’s digital age, and we want to thank Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and his team for working with META on modernizing its incentive program for entertainment companies,” Skyway Studios and DanceNetwork TV CEO Julie Stadler said. “The entertainment industry has a significant economic impact on Tennessee, and this legislation will help fuel the industry’s continued growth.” 
 
Incentive grants under the legislation are provided to attract film, television and other entertainment productions to Tennessee. Such grants are administered by the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, which is attached to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. 
 
“The membership of META is currently built on the support of the film and television industry through its working members and are pleased to assist in its ever growing presence through the inclusion of streaming platforms,” META Vice President Regina Moore said. “Our industry is hopeful to broaden its reach and create future changes to allow the industry advantages to compete in multiple areas with established entertainment markets.”