AWG & SPAA Reach Agreement on Children's TV

6 August, 2010

After substantive discussions during last week’s mediation process before Justice Paul Munro, the AWG and SPAA are pleased to advise that agreement has been reached on the basic terms of an industry recommended agreement for the contracting of writers for script services on children’s television drama programming.

While the details of the agreement are still to be finalised the key issues of fees and usage rights have been settled. The agreement reflects industry practice and provides flexibility for both writers and producers.

‘The Children’s Television Production sector has much to be proud of and it’s great that writers and producers working in this genre have effectively resolved the issues in dispute.’ said Geoff Brown, Executive Director of SPAA.

“ This agreement is a huge step forward in the protection of rights and entitlements for children’s television writers. The AWG is delighted to have worked so collaboratively again with our colleagues from SPAA in achieving this historical outcome.” said AWG President Tim Pye.

Last week’s process was constructive. It provided an opportunity for significant sharing of industry knowledge and insight and demonstrated as singular desire to achieve a common view.

Core matters have now been agreed. They include:

• Provision for full buyouts or a discounted buyout with writer participation in ‘blue sky’;

• A five year fee structure to reach parity between live action and animation base fees;

• Recognition of quarter hour slot lengths with a weighting for shorter variable formats,10 minutes and under;

• Options on final fees based on the stage at which a writer joins the process;

• A streamlined and transparent contracting and reporting approach.

The AWG and SPAA acknowledge the invaluable contribution of their respective members on their negotiating committees.

A mutually agreed final form agreement is expected in the coming weeks.
A joint industry briefing on the intention and structure of the new agreement will be arranged soon after signature.