As previously announced by the Minister of Culture, Dario Franceschini, in response to the crisis in the culture and entertainment industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Piattaforma della Cultura (Culture Platform) will be operative in early 2021, following the green light from Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. Due for incorporation imminently, the new company brings together majority stakeholder, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (51%) with an investment of €9 million, and T-VOD platform Chili (49%) who will also invest €9 million, in technology, know-how and cash. The Ministry for cultural goods and activities and tourism (MiBACT) will contribute €10 million in financing from the Recovery Fund.
The aim of the new streaming platform is to make Italian art and culture accessible globally: contemporary music, ballet, theatre, visual art, the Venice Film Festival, the Uffizi Museum, the Archaeological Park of Pompei and much more. Chili will manage the ticketing, using a similar system to that for their film catalogue, and the sale of merchandise. The initiative aims to provide the industry with a boost after a year of closures and reduced entrances due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, going forward, an additional revenue stream for cinemas, theatres, museums, artists and industry professionals. The sales method will be transactional, that is payment for the service used, or financed by advertising.
La Piattaforma cultura intende veicolare migliaia di eventi l’anno, distribuendo in streaming almeno il 33% dei soggetti i cui prodotti culturali provengono dal mondo MiBACT.