31 August 2011
Posted in
Radio
The Writers’ Guild has agreed increases of 2 per cent in the minimum fees for BBC radio writing – in line with the salary increase for lower-paid BBC staff.
The new rates (pdf), which took effect from 1 August 2011, bring the key rate for writing original radio drama to £89.05 per minute, or £5,343 for a one-hour play (two transmissions), and £892.50 per episode for The Archers. Our agreement with the BBC provides a sliding scale for other types of drama: pre-existing format 90% (£80.15 per minute); dramatisations 85%, 75% or 65% (£75.69, £66.79 or £57.88 per minute) depending on extent of work required; semi-dramatised narrations 55% (£48.98 per minute).
Minimum rates for short stories and abridgements are also increased. The attendance payment remains at £60. The rates were agreed in negotiations between the BBC, the Guild, the Society of Authors and the agents’ trade body the PMA.
Guild General Secretary Bernie Corbett commented: “With the BBC agonising over yet more cuts, we must be grateful for even a small increase in writers’ fees, even though it is below inflation. But it is worrying that the number of plays commissioned is declining year by year, and Radio 4 is axing at least a third of its short stories. The Guild will continue to fight all such cuts.”
Higher minimum rates for BBC Radio Features and Talks Contributions (pdf) have also been agreed.
