EU funds News published: 30 September 2026Published on the site: 3 October 2026 5 min read

MEDIA TV and online 2027: €23.3 million for series and documentaries, deadline 10 February

The Creative Europe MEDIA call "TV and online content" 2027 opened on 30 September 2026. It funds the production of animation, documentaries and fiction for TV and online platforms. The first deadline is 10 February 2027.

Todos & Company editorial team · EU funding consultancy since 2006

MEDIA TV and online 2027: €23.3 million for series and documentaries, deadline 10 February

Programme sheet · Call window open Creative Europe MEDIA 2027 — TV and online content: series, animation and documentaries (CREA-MEDIA-2027-TVONLINE) Deadline: 10 February 2027

On 30 September 2026 the European Commission opened the Creative Europe MEDIA call "TV and online content" (CREA-MEDIA-2027-TVONLINE). The call funds the production of animation, documentaries and fiction for television and online platforms by independent European production companies, including those in Romania. The EU portal shows a budget of €23.3 million for 2027. Applications are due by 10 February 2027, 17:00 (Brussels time), or by 15 September 2027 for the second round.

In brief

Programme: Creative Europe, MEDIA strand – the "TV and online content" action, call CREA-MEDIA-2027-TVONLINE
Authority: European Commission, through the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
Beneficiaries: independent European audiovisual production companies
Categories (topics): TVONLINE-1 – animation, TVONLINE-2 – documentaries, TVONLINE-3 – fiction
Total budget: €23.3 million for 2027, shown on the portal for each of the three topics
Value per project: between €70,000 and €2,000,000 (grant requested), as a lump sum
Submission period: open from 30 September 2026; deadlines 10 February 2027 and 15 September 2027, 17:00 (Brussels)
Status: open

What does the call fund?

The action aims to increase the capacity of audiovisual producers to develop and produce strong projects that can circulate in Europe and beyond. It also seeks to facilitate European and international co-productions in the TV and online sector. According to the official description, the call aims to strengthen producers' independence from broadcasters and digital platforms.

Fiction, animation and documentary works intended for linear (traditional TV) and non-linear (on-demand platforms) distribution are supported. Projects must demonstrate:

strong cooperation between operators from different countries participating in the MEDIA strand, including broadcasters;
high creative and artistic value and genuine potential for cross-border exploitation;
innovative content and financing elements, clearly linked to the distribution strategy;
environmental sustainability measures in production and a commitment to gender balance, diversity and inclusion.

Partners may also come from countries outside Europe, for international cooperation and access to new markets. The Commission gives Korea as an example, under the EU–Korea cultural cooperation protocol. These partners may take part, but cannot be grant beneficiaries.

Who can apply?

Independent audiovisual production companies established in a country that participates fully in the MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe programme can apply. Romania is an EU Member State, so Romanian companies are eligible. "Independent" means that the company is not majority-controlled, directly or indirectly, through shareholding or commercially, by an audiovisual media service provider (a broadcaster or a platform). Please note: majority control is deemed to exist when a single audiovisual media service provider holds more than 25% of the company's capital.

The detailed eligibility conditions are set out in the call document: minimum duration of the works, broadcaster involvement, and financing already secured from other sources. Check them there before you start preparing your application.

How much can you get and how is it paid?

The grant requested per project is between €70,000 and €2,000,000. Funding is awarded as a lump sum. The budget is set at submission, using the calculator and the financing structure template in the electronic submission system. Payment then depends on the completion of the activities undertaken, not on the settlement of each invoice.

The official page of the documentary topic mentions a budget of €23.3 million for 2027. The same amount appears for the animation and fiction topics. The split by category and between the two rounds is not detailed on the topic pages, so check it in the call document.

How and by when do you apply?

Applications are submitted online, on the European Commission's Funding & Tenders Portal, using the standard Creative Europe form. The indicative timetable published by the Commission is as follows:

Round 1: deadline 10 February 2027, 17:00 (Brussels); evaluation February–June 2027; results in August 2027; funding agreement signed in November 2027.
Round 2: deadline 15 September 2027, 17:00 (Brussels); evaluation September 2027–January 2028; results in March 2028; agreement signed in June 2028.

What this means for your business

Our recommendation: the call suits production companies that already have a developed series, animation or documentary project and broadcasting partners in at least one other European country. It is not funding for developing an idea from scratch. The evaluators look for projects with structured financing and a credible distribution strategy.

Start talking to broadcasters and platforms now. Letters of commitment and contracts with broadcasters take months, and without them your application is weak.
Check your independence. If a broadcaster or a platform alone holds more than 25% of the company's capital, the company is not eligible.
Prepare the sections on sustainability and diversity. They are explicitly required, and generic text shows at evaluation.
Choose your round realistically. If your financing plan is not closed by February, the second round (15 September 2027) is usually a better choice than an incomplete application.

For an initial check of whether your company qualifies, use the eligibility check.

Frequently asked questions

Can production companies from Romania apply?

Yes. The call is open to independent audiovisual production companies from countries that participate fully in the MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe programme, and Romania is an EU Member State. No audiovisual media service provider (broadcaster or platform) may alone hold more than 25% of the company's capital.

What is the maximum grant per project?

The grant requested can be between €70,000 and €2,000,000 per project. It is awarded as a lump sum, and the exact calculation conditions are in the call document and in the calculator in the submission system.

What are the submission deadlines?

There are two rounds: 10 February 2027 and 15 September 2027, both at 17:00, Brussels time. For the first round, results are announced indicatively in August 2027.

Can I have partners from outside Europe?

Yes, partners from non-participating countries can be involved in the project, with Korea being the example given by the Commission. However, they cannot receive a grant as beneficiaries.

What types of production are accepted?

Fiction (drama), animation and documentary for television and online platforms. Each type has a separate topic: TVONLINE-1 animation, TVONLINE-2 documentaries, TVONLINE-3 fiction.

Official sources

Information checked on 3 October 2026. Conditions may be changed by the managing authority — check the guide in force before you submit.