Justin Downing
iHeart Podcast Awards 2024
Netflix has signed a deal with the Writers Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) for its first live-action scripted series.
The first-of-its-kind deal will see the global streamer partner with the Personal Managers Association, which represents agents in the UK.
The agreement takes effect on February 1 and comes as streamers aim to deepen ties with local unions.
A PMA spokesperson called the agreement “pioneering” and said it “moves away from perpetual entitlements and introduces an ongoing payment mechanism.”
The terms, published on the WGGB website, require writers to pay at least £17,000 ($21,700) for a one-off 60-minute program, or £15,000 for a series. become. The initial script fee includes his six-month subscription to the Netflix service (worldwide), as well as non-theatrical and promotional rights. The agreement also stipulates that authors will receive 5.6% of their gross revenue if their work is used outside of Netflix.
In particular, writers will be given a compulsory subsequent usage advance (SUA) of 125% of the agreed script fee, which will be paid to the credited writer of the episode on the first day of principal photography. He can pre-purchase Netflix for 10 years at 125% SUA along with the script fee, which he can extend beyond 10 years for an additional fee.
The deal is therefore similar in scope to the new deals the BBC and Disney+ have struck with scriptwriters for playback productions. Doctor Who, We understand that previously a small fee and balance was paid, but now a larger fee is paid up front.
WGGB general secretary Ellie Pearce said: “For the first time in the UK, writers working for a global streamer will enjoy improved conditions with their rights enshrined in the union’s collective agreement.” We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Netflix. ”
Anne Mensah, vice president of Netflix UK, added: “Local authors are at the heart of Netflix’s success in the UK and we are delighted that we have reached an agreement.”
WGGB has had a productive few weeks. Since WGA signed the deal with AMPTP in the US, WGGB has also secured a 10% pay increase for writers on BBC programs and improved residual pay following the renewal of existing contracts between the two companies. The renegotiated agreement includes a 10% increase in minimum prices, increasing the minimum price for a 60-minute show from £12,780 ($16,132) to £14,040. The minimum price for a series is £12,900 per 60 minutes, with dramatizations rising to £9,360 per 60 minutes and adaptations £5,760 per 60 minutes. The minimum rate for a BBC sketchwriter will increase by 4%, taking the minimum ‘per minute’ rate to £123.
The news comes as WGGB affiliate Equity will soon begin negotiations with British producer trade body Pact to negotiate a new contract. Over the past decade, companies like Netflix, Disney, and Apple have entered into stock negotiations in the form of “side letters.” This effectively takes over the contract with Pact and adds a small premium to the original fee. It remains to be seen whether the streamer will take this approach again or come to the table more formally.
