The audiovisual authors’ rights management organization closed 2020 with more than 26.3 million euros collected, thanks largely due to growth within on demand audiovisual platforms and despite a 49% drop in theatrical rights collections.

The distribution figure exceeded €23.6 million, an increase of 20%.

DAMA, the Audiovisual Copyright Management Association, held its General Assembly on Wednesday 16 June, at which its Management Report and Annual Accounts were approved, as well as the Transparency Report for the 2020 financial year.

The year 2020 was once again a year of growth for DAMA. In 2019, the organization’s revenue reached 24.5 million euros; a year later, DAMA closed 2020 with 26.3 million euros. This 7% growth is mainly due to the increase in revenue from video-on-demand platforms, which exceeded 2.4 million, an increase of 48.1% compared to the previous year. Digital TV operators continue to be the main source of royalty income, bringing in more than 15 million euros.

Royalty collections in cinemas fell to €2.9 million in 2020. This drop of 49% is due to the harsh impact of Covid-19, with cinemas closed for several weeks, on cinema exhibition. However, the total distribution figure to members increased by 20% to over 23.6 million euros.

In terms of memberships, the number of members rose by 22.3% to 1,574 professionals, following the arrival of some of the most recognized names on the audiovisual scene. The arrival of new professionals continued in the first months of 2021, so that DAMA now has more than 1,700 members.

The entity specialized in the management of audiovisual works also reaffirmed its growth at international level by increasing the volume of foreign entities with which it has agreements for the management of authors’ rights.

Another issue discussed at the General Assembly was the consolidation and expansion of the Social Aid Program for members, as well as the specific Social Aid Plan for the impact of the pandemic. This program, which was launched in the spring of 2020, was based on requests from members themselves and remains in place today.

In addition, DAMA continues to firmly support professionals in the audiovisual sector and new creators, with calls such as ‘DAMA Ayuda’, ‘DAMA Ayuda Series’ or ‘DAMA Cortos’; and through collaborations with ECAM, ESCAC, Universidad Carlos III, ALMA, ATRAE, EHGEP and GAC, among others.

These projects are joined by ‘Cambio de Plano’, which was created by Netflix with the report ‘Cultural diversity in audiovisual creation in Spain. Diversity of authors and stories (2015-2019)’, which analyses the diversity in the authorship of audiovisual works and in the stories included in films, television series and documentaries in Spain between 2015 and 2019. In addition, the initiative includes a competition of ideas, ‘Tell us the stories that nobody tells’, which will reward original stories about the rural world, gender diversity, disability, the LGTBI community and ethnic diversity.