News
DirectorsUKsecuresbetterdealfordirectorsinlatestUKRightsAgreement
We recently renegotiated the terms of the UK Rights Agreement — the agreement that governs distribution payments to members from the major UK broadcasters.
We are pleased to share that we have secured some significant improvements for directors;
- For the first time, we’ve obtained a provision which will allow directors to get 3% of the producer’s profits from future programme sales
- We’ve negotiated an increase in the money that the broadcasters pay Directors UK for repeat uses of programmes you direct
- Despite challenging market conditions, we’ve managed to maintain the rates payable for sales of your work
The UK Rights Agreement applies to TV programmes commissioned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, 5, S4C and Sky and runs from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2028. We last renegotiated the deal in 2022, when we were able to achieve significant uplifts in the rates payable for sales of television programmes. In our latest negotiation, we’ve been able to build on what that deal provided for members.
The new 3% provision, which applies to programmes commissioned from 1 July 2025 onwards, means that if producers continue making money from future exploitation of TV programmes after 7 years, the director will now get a share.
Find out more about the deal and how it works in our FAQs below.
The programmes that our members direct can have a life that goes on long after first broadcast. This deal gives directors a share of the upside when programmes continue to make money in the future. It is recognition of the part the director plays in that success as a key creative lead.”
We want to ensure that our members receive payments for all uses of their works - whether that’s programmes commissioned by the UK broadcasters or programmes commissioned in the UK by the international streamers. Our work to secure a similar agreement with the international streamers continues.