Directors UK collects and distributes money due to the principal director of a film or television programme for the exploitation of their work. Payments are collected from UK broadcasters and from Europe.
UK Distribution Scheme
Under the terms of its Rights Agreement with broadcasters and producers, Directors UK receives an annual payment to compensate for rights assigned by directors under individual contract.
Payments are allocated under the terms of the UK Distribution Scheme. This takes account of the type of work, transmission length and form of secondary exploitation (e.g. repeat transmissions, sales, DVD releases etc.)
This scheme applies to all programmes made by, for or in association with the signatory companies (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, S4C) and for which the director was engaged on or after 1 July 2001 under a freelance contract.
Foreign Collections
Directors UK has agreements with collecting societies throughout Europe and receives payments due under national legislations for the re-use of work. This can include private copying, cable retransmissions and educational recording.
Educational Recording
Directors UK is a member of the Educational Recording Agency (ERA) and receives payments for the recording of broadcasts in educational establishments.
Directors UK monitors transmissions in the UK and Europe daily to assist in the distribution of payments under its UK Distribution Scheme and to substantiate the claims it submits to the foreign collection societies.
BBC Residuals
In 2006 Directors UK took over the administration of the BBC Residuals payments due to directors and producers for programmes made under the 1976 and 1984 union agreements. Directors UK administers payments for sales under this scheme.
Unregistered Directors List
Do you know any of these non-members who have money allocated to them under our distribution schemes?
Distribution Committee
The Distribution Committee meets twice a year.