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Business Affairs Directorate

The Business Affairs Directorate is responsible for the business and finance aspects and the administration process of commissioning and contracting content for broadcast on S4C services. The directorate works closely with the Finance, Legal, Commissioning and Planning units at S4C.

The unit provides an administrative service to the process of commissioning content, discuss licence fees, co ordinate details in order to prepare contracts and monitor every aspect of administrative work during the process of producing and conveying content to S4C.

Additionally the directorate collects and process information regarding music used in programmes, trails and promos transmitted, and administrates the estimates and process of repeat fees.

If you have any questions or need further information about the directorate contact:

  • Mair Williams
  • Tel: 029 2074 1479
  • cyl// hide from spam bots //lid-sc@s4c.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

Business FAQ's

Production Insurance

The S4C self insurance scheme will come to an end on 31 December 2006.  You will need to arrange your own insurance for any production to be delivered from the beginning of 2007 onwards.  You should contact an insurance broker or company to discuss your requirements and to arrange suitable and adequate insurance for your productions.
Answers to some FAQ's regarding the new arrangements can be found here

Who is responsible for Health and Safety on the production?

The producer. No insurance can replace proper risk assessment and ‘best practice’ in dealing with those risks.

Payment and Banking

When will I receive the first payment?

You will receive first payment when we receive an invoice that corresponds with the agreed cashflow. S4C makes most of its payments via BACS.

What does the Business Affairs Directorate need from me before I can receive money for a new production?

  1. Bank Letter.
  2. Inducement letter or a TAC standard agreement in respect of all producers and directors.
  3. Evidence that the competent person has a valid X3 NVQ in Production Health and Safety.
  4. A signed commissioning agreement or prepayment letter in S4C’standard format.
  5. An invoice.

How do I set out an invoice?

An invoice should be addressed to S4C and quote the programme title, contract number, relevant cash flow date, bank account details and VAT registration number. (if appropriate) The invoice should be issued on headed paper, and sent to the Unit Manager.

What is a BACS payment?

BACS stands for Bank Automated Clearing System. This means the money is transferred electronically into your bank account. The payment runs take place every Monday and Wednesday – an UK BACS payment takes two working days to clear.

Do I need to set up a mandated trust/deposit account?

Trust accounts are set up at S4C’s discretion. S4C have standardised forms that assist the producers in setting up and confirming the trust account status. These can be found in the Forms and Guidelines section on this Production Website.

Do I have a standard cashflow format?

A cashflow template is contained within the S4C 36 schedule budget file. An electronic version of this budget can be found in the Forms and Guidelines section on this Production Website.

When will I receive final payment?

Final payment will be made on delivery and acceptance of the programme(s) and on receipt and approval of all the final documents.

Rights /Clearances and Music

Who is responsible for 3rd party clearances (music/archive/stills etc.)?

The production company. Clearances secured are confirmed as part of the final documentation to S4C.

What’s the difference between a programme being ‘cleared’ and ‘clearable’?

‘Cleared’ means agreed and paid for within the agreed contract price. ‘Clearable’ means the rights can be acquired in the future (as agreed with the rights holder) but have not been paid for within the agreed contract price to S4C.

How will I know what clearances are required?

The Licence Appendix to the Commissioning Agreement confirms the detail of what clearances are required. This should reflect the rights and costs agreed in your budget negotiation with the Unit Manager. S4C’s standard requirements are usually found on the Production Website or in Tender documents, or by speaking to your Unit Manager.

Does S4C have a blanket licence with MCPS?

S4C has an MCPS blanket which covers:

  • The right to record musical works (forming part of the MCPS repertoire) and production music sound recordings into trailer/presentation material and links made by (or for) S4C for transmission on the S4C service
  • the right to broadcast production music sound recordings on the S4C service.

It does not cover the use of music in programmes commissioned by S4C. Producers should ensure adequate provision in programme budgets and licence the music through John Hywel Morris at MCPS Licensing Tel 020 7309 4553.

Does S4C have a blanket licence with PPL?

(a) Rights granted

The licence gives S4C (and Suppliers directly commissioned by S4C to produce programmes over which S4C has full editorial control) the right to:

  1. broadcast on S4C Analogue, S4C Digital and S4C2 any commercial disc or part of it in which PPL owns or controls the copyright. PPL owns or controls the copyright in all sound recordings belonging to its members. Current membership should always be checked when proposing to use PPL repertoire.
  2. dub sound recordings from the PPL repertoire directly into television programmes and presentation items solely for inclusion on S4C Analogue, S4C Digital or S4C2.

S4C has a duty to supply to PPL a usage return giving details of the use made of sound recordings in PPL repertoire. This is reported via the music cue sheet.

(b) Restrictions

Be aware of the following:

  1. Suppliers commissioned by S4C must obtain the prior written consent of PPL for the copying of any sound recording not licensed or permitted under the terms of the Licence.
  2. Suppliers cannot mix, remix, edit, change or otherwise manipulate the sounds of any sound recordings so that the sounds transmitted on the S4C Service differ from those on the original sound recording.
  3. S4C cannot use any sound recording on the internet or intranet or any cable programme service.
  4. S4C and its Suppliers cannot knowingly impair or destroy any coding incorporated on any sound recording which is there for the purpose of identifying or discourage unlawful coping.
  5. S4C and its suppliers must exercise proper discretion in its choice and use of sound recordings so that it does not knowingly denigrate the artistic integrity of any sound recording or of any performance recorded as part of it.

S4C and its suppliers will need the consent of the PPL if any sound recording is used for any of the following purposes: -

  1. as part of identity signals for S4C Analogue, S4C Digital and S4C2.
  2. as signature music or for promotional spots not connected to the broadcasting of the S4C service.
  3. as a trademark or brand to verify the origin of the broadcast, part of the broadcast or otherwise.

PPL has the right to prohibit the dubbing of any sound recording by giving reasonable notice to S4C.

S4C's blanket licence with PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) has expired but, pending an offer of renewal terms from PPL, S4C is holding over on the terms of the old licence ("the Licence")

PACs

What is meant by PAC and why are they important?

The Programme as Completed Form (also known as the PAC) is in three sections:

  • PAC (a) a form confirming the necessary broadcasting data and delivered to S4C at the same time as the tape.
  • PAC (b) a statement of contributors in the programme.
  • PAC (c) this form is completed when rushes are delivered toS4C.

The PAC (b) is the form confirming all contributors and third party rights in each programme. The form is important, as it is the only full record of the production. It is proof that all parties have been contracted and all necessary third party rights have been cleared or are clearable. The information is required to enable further transmissions of the programmes. S4C have obligations to report elements of the information to various collecting societies.

The form is sent to the Rights Unit at S4C with the associated contracts/rights agreement. The forms are available in electronic format only and should be delivered to the e-mail address noted. The contracts and backing documentation should be sent separately in the post to the Rights Unit at S4C.

How can we access the Programme as Completed From (PAC)?

The form is available in electronic format and can be delivered via e-mail or on disk. The template file can be found in the 'Forms and Guidelines' section of this Production Website. S4C have been developing an online facility for submitting programme information. This will be made available in stages during the next year.

What do I need to deliver?

Producers are required to deliver underlying documents to accompany the PACs (even where no payment is required) so the following should be obtained during the course of production of the programmes:

  • A release form or contract for every contributor (including performers and writers)
  • A licence for each piece of music and if original music, a composer’s contract
  • A licence with third party clearance details for each piece of archive or library material and each still
  • A location release form for filming on any property
  • A contract for key crew members – unless they are staff
  • Script(s), facility house letter and inducement letter
  • Any clearance documentation specific to the production e.g. option agreements

What is underlying material/supporting documentation?

These are hard copies of all contracts and third party licences. Although they form part of the PAC, copies on paper will need to be sent separately from the electronic PAC form.

© 2008 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales