Understanding Television Contracts: Key Changes for Performers

The landscape of Television Contracts is constantly evolving, and recent negotiations have brought about significant changes for performers, particularly concerning High Budget Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) series and Made-for-Pay Television. These changes impact both major role performers and recurring guest stars, offering improved clarity and protections.

One notable shift pertains to “Major Role” performers in high-budget SVOD series and the first season of made-for-pay television programs. Previously, the “Major Role” designation, with its associated benefits and protections, wasn’t applicable until the second season of a pay TV series. Now, this provision applies from the very first season, ensuring consistent treatment for major role performers across different platforms and production models. This represents a significant win for actors in high-budget productions, guaranteeing crucial contractual provisions from the outset.

Another important update addresses the challenges faced by recurring guest stars regarding work availability. Previously, contracts could engage guest stars without a specified start date, creating uncertainty and hindering their ability to accept other roles due to scheduling conflicts. The new agreement mandates a “soft work window” for recurring guest star contracts initiated after a specific ratification date.

This “soft work window” encompasses the guaranteed employment period outlined in the performer’s contract, plus a five-business-day buffer on both ends. This window provides a more defined timeframe for the performer’s commitment. If a performer receives another legitimate job offer that conflicts with the soft work window, they must notify the producer. The producer then has 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) to either confirm a definite start date or adjust the soft work window to accommodate the conflicting offer. This provision empowers actors to pursue other opportunities without fear of breaching their existing contract. Furthermore, the producer retains the right to modify the soft work window based on the performer’s availability, as long as it doesn’t impact any confirmed engagements. However, if a change is necessary due to a conflicting offer and the producer cannot adjust the window, they are not obligated to compensate the performer for the missed engagement.

These changes in television contracts represent significant steps toward greater fairness and clarity for performers, especially in the evolving world of streaming and on-demand content. The inclusion of “Major Role” provisions from the first season of high-budget productions and the implementation of “soft work windows” for recurring guest stars offer improved stability and flexibility for actors navigating the complexities of television employment.