Earlier this year, reports came out that the production of House of Card: Season 3 was being held up as two bills in Maryland would affect tax breaks, which have been a key in the show being produced in the state.
Based on what transpired earlier this month, things aren’t looking too great for the show’s future in Maryland, and that could mean more delays, and potentially a later release date for the third season that fans have grown accustomed to. The Washington Post reported on April 8th:
Maryland sets aside $7.5 million annually to reward film production companies that choose to film in the state. But that annual allocation has not always been enough to meet the needs of big-name productions, including “House of Cards,” which has received $26.6 million in tax credits so far. The show’s producers expected as much as $15 million for filming Season 3.
Media Rights Capital, the maker of “House of Cards,” told Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) and House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) in January that if the money did not materialize, production crews would “break down our stage, sets and offices and set up in another state.”
The report says the Governor’s office is working with the show to reach an agreement.
The situation was brought up on Netflix’s earnings call on Monday. Here’s what content chief Ted Sarandos had to say:
Keep in mind the relationship is fairly complicated there. You have the production company, who receives the benefit of a tax incentive from the state of Maryland to keep the show in Maryland, and there have been ongoing negotiations between MRC, who produces the show for us, and the state of Maryland, but I would anticipate that these are overcome-able issues, and it’s a very competitive world out there in terms of attracting production. The tax incentives in place for House of Cards in Maryland have resulted in hundreds and hundreds of jobs, and not just for actors, but for carpenters, and waitresses, and hotel workers. The amount of hotel nights and meals that the production of a television series brings to a state is staggering. So I think this has been one of those really interesting, kind of political volleyballs in Maryland, but Maryland’s been really great to the show, and we love being there, and we’re hoping that MRC and the state work that out. But investors and fans are not at risk in any way.
He didn’t comment on whether or not fans may see the season released later in the year (in 2015) than usual, but they really haven’t shown any regularity with any other shows so far.
Image via YouTube