Playwrights secure new terms for streaming work

A “landmark” agreement has been reached with playwrights to protect their pay and other rights relating to the digital delivery of their work.

Under the deal agreed between the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB), the Scottish Society of Playwrights (SSP) and UK Theatre, playwrights will receive a separate licence and payment for the streaming of their work – and this digital use will be time-limited.

WGGB said the agreement follows the “explosion in streaming and other forms of online delivery of plays” during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new terms, applying to all playwrights commissioned under WGGB’s UK Theatre Agreement, will come into effect from 1 January, initially for a year-long trial period.

WGGB’s general secretary, Ellie Peers, said it was “imperative” that the growth of digital delivery did not “lead to an erosion of the long-fought-for rights of playwrights”.

“I am therefore delighted that we have reached this landmark deal with UK Theatre to afford similar protections on pay, royalties, credits, textual integrity and more to playwrights working in the digital age,” she added.

The negotiations were led by the playwright David Edgar, a former president of the WGGB.

“While most writers welcome digital delivery of their work, this new agreement protects those who don’t and limits streaming to protect future productions on stage and in other media,” said Edgar. “It’s been a long negotiation, but we’re delighted that it’s been concluded so successfully.”