Why are UK directors asking for royalties from streaming platforms?

UK directors are asking for royalties from streaming platforms for repeat showings and sales of their work, as they are legal copyright owners and need a more stable income.

Do UK public broadcasters and Sky pay royalties to directors?

Yes, UK public service broadcasters and Sky contribute to a scheme that allows directors to be paid copyright royalties for repeat showings and sales.

Have streaming services in the UK agreed to pay royalties to directors?

No, streaming services have not signed up to any form of royalty or residual scheme for the benefit of UK directors in the ten years they have been commissioning programs in the UK.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / UK directors demand royalties from streamers

UK directors demand royalties from streamers

15 Apr

•

Summary

Directors are seeking royalties for repeat showings and sales.
Streamers have not joined royalty schemes in a decade.
UK public broadcasters and Sky contribute to director royalties.

UK directors demand royalties from streamers

A significant group of UK directors has penned an open letter to streaming platforms, demanding participation in a royalties scheme. Directors behind popular shows on platforms like Apple TV, Netflix, and Amazon Prime are calling for payment for repeat showings and sales of their work. This collective action highlights a decade-long stalemate, as streamers have yet to sign onto any residual payment system for UK directors.

In contrast, UK public service broadcasters and Sky already contribute to a royalty scheme. While the payments are described as modest, they provide a vital income source for directors navigating a precarious industry. Directors UK, their copyright management organization, emphasizes that directors are legal copyright owners and have been attempting to negotiate with streamers for some time.

The letter points out the disparity between streamers' enthusiastic uptake of UK tax incentives and their reluctance to agree on a director royalty scheme. Directors are seeking fair treatment and recognition of their integral role in creating successful content, akin to practices established in the US and parts of Europe. They are requesting a clear timeline from streamers to conclude these negotiations.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.

UK directors demand royalties from streamers

15 Apr

•

Summary

Directors are seeking royalties for repeat showings and sales.
Streamers have not joined royalty schemes in a decade.
UK public broadcasters and Sky contribute to director royalties.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.