DirectorsUKsecuresbetterdealfordirectorsinlatestUKRightsAgreement

Announcement

We recently renegotiated the terms of the UK Rights Agreement — the agreement that governs distribution payments to members from the major UK broadcasters — and 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.   

Directors UK CEO Andy Harrower said: “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.   

FAQ

About the deal 

Do I need to make changes to the contracts I sign as a director as a result of this new deal? 

No. All the terms are in the agreement between Directors UK and the six broadcasters, Pact and TAC. Your individual contract does not need to reflect these terms.   

What happens if I negotiate my own share of back-end or royalty in my own contract?  

You remain completely free to negotiate whatever terms you can and we would encourage you to do so.  In most cases, whatever you negotiate will replace the standard 3% we have negotiated.  

Which broadcasters are signed up to this scheme? 

The scheme applies to programmes commissioned (or co-commissioned) by BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky and S4C. 

Will the new profit share be payable on all programmes that the UK broadcasters commission after 1st July 2025? 

The vast majority, but not all. Programmes that are currently out of scope from the UK distribution scheme are also exempt from the profit share. Certain genres of programming which are deemed to have very limited secondary sales potential are also exempt.  

What about programmes made prior to 1 July 2025? 

They are not eligible for the profit share. They will however continue receiving payments for transmissions and sales that we allocate under our current distribution policy.

When would the 3% producer profit share kick in? 

Seven years from the first use of the programme (e.g. its first TV broadcast).