Equity & C4 extend Video on Demand deal

Posted on May 30, 2008

Extended Video on Demand agreement builds on success

At its April meeting Equity council endorsed the proposal to extend the existing Video on Demand (VoD) agreement with Channel 4 for its 2008 service. An adjustment to the fees paid under the the earlier 2006/7 VoD agreement was also agreed.

During the period of the 2006/7 Video on Demand agreement, the number of viewers accessing the service exceeded C4’s expectations and, as a result, C4 made additional payments to Equity on behalf of our members – as provided for in the earlier agreement.

As with the previous agreement with C4, BECS will administer and distribute all the money paid by the broadcaster. BECS will receive an administration fee to cover the cost of the service they provide.

 Andy Prodger, assistant general secretary for the Film, Television and Radio Department, commented that “this is another landmark agreement negotiated by Equity on behalf of the members and demonstrates that Equity is successfully facing the challenges that technology brings to the television industry”.

AGREEMENT FOR 2008

A guaranteed combined six-figure minimum payment for both their Free Video on Demand and Subscription Video on Demand services.

This payment will cover the period 27 March 2008 to 31 December 2008 for Free Video on Demand (includes ten hours a week catch-up, plus stacking and a rolling archive).

Payment for the Subscription Video on Demand service covers 27 March 2008 to 31March 2009 and includes catch-up and rolling archive.

If consumer demand exceeds the predicted level, extra payments on the SVoD service shall be reconciled at the end of the agreed period.

Should FVoD become more popular over the period then C4 and Equity will enter into negotiations over the fees.

 

TV is Changing • Equity