The City

Media and Entertainment

TV, Film, Radio and New Media Platforms

A particular expertise of the firm is our experience in advising a range of media clients including  independent producers, broadcasters, studios, writers, artists, contributors and talent from across the TV and film industry. We act for clients in every stage of their business in the development, protection, broadcast and wider exploitation of content for television, film and radio, whether by traditional transmission or across the wide range of new media platforms.

Specific areas

  • Development – option/purchase of literary material and other story rights; commissioning writers; production contracts ; format rights protection
  • Commissioning - negotiating programme pilots, series or single episode productions, with broadcasters on behalf of producers
  • Production – producer, director, editor, cast and crew contracts, production and post-production facilities and location agreements; image and music licensing
  • Distribution - advising on format and programme distribution rights and secondary exploitation (merchandising) arrangements 
  • Digital rights - advising on digital rights management
  • Competitions, Shows and Reality Programmes – competition rules and terms of participation, waivers and releases
  • Events – terms and conditions for  one-off or periodic events (rock concerts, fundraising balls, exhibitions and conferences) including sponsorship agreements
  • Talent – writers, actors, directors, producer agreements
  • Clearance and content  – script reading, pre-publication clearances and content checks; defamation and privacy advice
  • Litigation – contractual and rights infringement disputes
  • Employment – hiring, termination and general labour disputes
  • IP – copyright and other digital rights

Publishing and Music

We advise writers, musicians, publishers and regional newspapers and provide practical pre-publication advice to minimise risk of claims and offer advice where claims have arisen