Chicago getting hit with an "amusement tax"

[SUPES]

Observer daily update:

-- Chicago has slapped a 9% amusement tax on streaming/cloud services, meaning if you are in Chicago and subscribe to Netflix, you will soon be paying 9% more since Netflix will be passing the charge on to consumers. This will probably end up applying to the WWE Network and a number of other services as well.

[kidglov3s]

I hope this gets Vince when he's in a bad mood and he puts together a pissy Blumenthal/Kroenke type reaction on Raw.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

How exactly can they tax amusement?

[pegasuswarrior]

CM Punk is not amused.

[BJ Sturgeon]

Can you claim tax refunds when you're not amused by whatever is being taxed? I see some interesting lawsuits coming up.

[SsnakeBite, the No1 Frenchman]

Anything to keep Hollywood afloat without them having to actually improve their product, huh?

[Deleted]

Is Chicago that broke?

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Is bemusement tax detectable? How about rolling with the punches? A sly smile? Righteous condemnation?

[Heartbreaker]

I'm surprised Australia hasn't done this...

[Jedi-El of Tomorrow]

Jul 5, 2015 3:51:04 GMT -5 @supersweetbotch said:

Is Chicago that broke?

They were big for a couple of decades, you'd figure they would still have a good amount of cash. Just more rock stars not thinking of the future.

[ICBM]

Did they mention what they created the tax to pay for? If it was sustained faster and more dependable broadband in public areas than that is a win. If it is roadway R&R that is win as well (drive thru Chicago....er I mean sit in toll lines and watch fifteen accidents while you try to avoid pot holes)

[SUPES]

Jul 5, 2015 3:08:58 GMT -5 SsnakeBite, the No1 Frenchman said:

Anything to keep Hollywood afloat without them having to actually improve their product, huh?

This is a false narrative. The quantity of quality TV series to choose from has never been higher.

[Bo Rida]

Jul 5, 2015 5:41:30 GMT -5 SUPES said:

Jul 5, 2015 3:08:58 GMT -5 SsnakeBite, the No1 Frenchman said:

Anything to keep Hollywood afloat without them having to actually improve their product, huh?

This is a false narrative. The quantity of quality TV series to choose from has never been higher.

True but a lot of them are being made outside of Hollywood.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10422766/The-Hollywood-exodus-Tinseltown-loses-its-allure-for-filmmakers.html

variety.com/2014/film/news/even-films-set-in-california-are-shooting-elsewhere-to-save-money-1201125523/

[Brood Lone Wolf Funker]

Jul 5, 2015 5:21:41 GMT -5 Jedi-El of Tomorrow said:

Jul 5, 2015 3:51:04 GMT -5 @supersweetbotch said:

Is Chicago that broke?

They were big for a couple of decades, you'd figure they would still have a good amount of cash. Just more rock stars not thinking of the future.

Well they were never really sure what time it was, so they wouldn't be good with numbers

[Limity (BLM)]

Jul 5, 2015 3:08:58 GMT -5 SsnakeBite, the No1 Frenchman said:

Anything to keep Hollywood afloat without them having to actually improve their product, huh?

How does a tax levied and collected by a city in Illinois benefit an industry based in California?

[Push R Truth]

Jul 5, 2015 6:28:37 GMT -5 Limity (BLM) said:

Jul 5, 2015 3:08:58 GMT -5 SsnakeBite, the No1 Frenchman said:

Anything to keep Hollywood afloat without them having to actually improve their product, huh?

How does a tax levied and collected by a city in Illinois benefit an industry based in California?

Take your damn logic and reason and GIT GIT GIT! Our pitchforks don't want to hear none of that crazy rational thinking 'round here!

[SsnakeBite, the No1 Frenchman]

Jul 5, 2015 5:41:30 GMT -5 SUPES said:

Jul 5, 2015 3:08:58 GMT -5 SsnakeBite, the No1 Frenchman said:

Anything to keep Hollywood afloat without them having to actually improve their product, huh?

This is a false narrative. The quantity of quality TV series to choose from has never been higher.

So has the quantity of shit (in fact, that has arguably increased even more), and the quality stuff comes from the few people actually willing to take risks in order to find and support good works, and as a result seems to always come from the same people.

Jul 5, 2015 6:28:37 GMT -5 Limity (BLM) said:

Jul 5, 2015 3:08:58 GMT -5 SsnakeBite, the No1 Frenchman said:

Anything to keep Hollywood afloat without them having to actually improve their product, huh?

How does a tax levied and collected by a city in Illinois benefit an industry based in California?

When I say "Hollywood", I mean huge film/TV industries that insist on relying on obsolete business practices in general. My point is that streaming services offer a large amount of quality shows and films at a reasonable price and are therefore unsurprisingly winning over a lot of people while bigger industries such as Hollywood continue to pump up mediocre, safe works designed by focus groups rather than artists and make the audience pay exorbitant prices for it (not to mention the inflated ones of 3D screenings of movies).

The obvious solution would be for these industries to change their business model to adapt to modern audiences. But that would imply taking risks and no longer thinking solely in terms of what is marketable, so it's much easier to lobby in order to have alternatives outlawed or at least penalized with bullshit like this or the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

It's how it has always happened. New methods of distributing and promoting entertainment in a way that advantages the public by offering higher quality products and/or lower prices come up and instead of adapting, old industries try to shut it down so that they remain the only option available, because that's easier than improving.

[Deleted]

People will bitch about it and still pay it. Nothing to see here.

[wildojinx]

Jul 5, 2015 1:18:22 GMT -5 kidglov3s said:

I hope this gets Vince when he's in a bad mood and he puts together a pissy Blumenthal/Kroenke type reaction on Raw.

Peter Cetera as RAW guest host, who promptly gets an F5 from Lesnar who then yells "9% THIS!".

[Hit Girl]

What a miserable city. This is why the Ducks should have won the cup. Anaheim loves amusement.