The Push for Improved Streaming Residuals in the UK

The battle for improved streaming residuals in the UK is heating up as Directors UK (DUK) has taken a stand by writing to major streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Paramount, Apple, and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to seek royalties for its members. With a membership of over 8,000 British directors, DUK is pushing for fair compensation for the creative work contributed to UK streamer projects.

In a bold move that raises the stakes, DUK’s letter hints at the possibility of withholding copyright from the streamers in the future if they fail to engage in negotiations and come to an agreement on providing royalties. This move has the potential to disrupt the current landscape of streaming services in the UK and could be a talking point at industry events such as the Edinburgh TV Festival.

Directors in the UK have long been paid for their work on projects, but DUK argues that they deserve additional compensation in the form of royalties, aligning with the standards set by writer, actor, and director guilds in the U.S. DUK emphasizes the importance of international streaming services following UK television industry practices when producing content in the UK.

As the landscape of freelance work for directors becomes increasingly challenging, DUK stresses the vital role that royalties play in ensuring a sustainable directing career. With the demand for content on streaming platforms on the rise, it is crucial for directors to receive fair compensation for their creative contributions.

DUK is not alone in its push for improved residuals in the UK TV and film industry. Actors union Equity has also been in negotiations with Pact for better secondary payments, showcasing a collective effort among industry professionals to advocate for fair compensation. Similarly, the Writers Guild of Great Britain has secured improved residuals deals with major players in the industry, demonstrating a trend towards recognizing the value of creative work.

In the U.S., the Directors Guild of America successfully negotiated a historic deal with the AMPTP without resorting to strike action, resulting in a significant increase in foreign residuals for directors. By learning from successful models in other markets, British industry professionals are seeking to achieve similar advancements in residuals and royalties.

The push for improved streaming residuals in the UK is gaining momentum, with organizations like Directors UK taking a proactive stance in advocating for fair compensation for directors. As the landscape of content production continues to evolve, it is essential for industry stakeholders to come together and establish standards that reflect the value of creative contributions in the digital age.