Netflix UK, Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) and Personal Managers’ Association (PMA) have signed a new deal on remuneration for UK writers.
The deal, which will apply to UK writers on Netflix scripted live-action commissioned series and is backdated to 1 February, is the first agreement between a streaming service, the WGGB and the PMA, which represents UK agents.
According its terms, writers will be paid a £17,000 minimum script fee for a one-off 60-minute show and £15,000 for a whole series. The initial script fee includes six months of exploitation on the Netflix service worldwide and non-theatric and promotional rights. Writers will also be given 5.6% of gross receipts if their production is exploited off Netflix.
The agreement will additionally see a mandatory subsequent use advance of 125% of the agreed script fee paid to the credited episode writer on the first day of principal photography. It also details that along with the script fee, the 125% subsequent use advance pre-purchases 10 years for Netflix and can be extended beyond this for an additional fee.
Anne Mensah, vice president of UK content at Netflix, said: “Local writers are core to Netflix’s success in the UK and we are delighted to have reached a deal.”
Ellie Peers, general secretary at WGGB, added: “For the first time in the UK, writers working for a global streamer will have their rights enshrined in a collective trade union agreement and will enjoy improved terms and conditions. We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Netflix.”
A PMA spokesperson said: “We are thrilled to have finally agreed a trailblazing deal on terms for UK writers that moves away from granting rights in perpetuity and introduces a structure for ongoing payments.”