ALCS administers the latest Writers Digital Payments payout to BBC scriptwriters
We’ve just finished the latest distribution of £665,000 to 630 BBC screenwriters whose programmes were watched on BBC iPlayer during 2016.
Writers Digital Payments (WDP) was set up to make sure that TV and online writers were fairly remunerated for viewings on BBC iPlayer and ITV Player. The not-for-profit scheme was set up by Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) and the Personal Managers’ Association (PMA) and has been administered by ALCS since the scheme launched in April 2015. Over £2.75 million has been paid to writers in four BBC distributions and one ITV distribution.
You do not need to be a member of WGGB, PMA or ALCS in order to receive payments. However, criteria for payment includes the fact that the programme should be:
- a scripted drama, comedy or a dramatic segment of another programme; and
- commissioned by the BBC or ITV either in-house or from an independent producer.
Please note that there are a large number of programmes that don’t qualify because their catch-up rights were bought out but it is expected that this will reduce over time.
Further information can be found on the WDP website or you can email them for further information at lynne.mendoza@writersdigitalpayments.co.uk