UK directors call out streamers over royalties in open letter

Directors behind some of the UK’s biggest television shows are pushing back against streaming platforms, calling for urgent action on royalties in a newly issued open letter.

According to Variety, directors associated with major series including Slow Horses, Black Mirror and The Crown have criticised the slow pace of negotiations with streamers over fair compensation.

The letter, organised through Directors UK, highlights concerns that directors are not receiving adequate royalties from streaming platforms despite the global success of the shows they help create.

Filmmakers described royalties as essential to sustaining their careers, stressing that ongoing payments are a critical part of how directors earn a living beyond initial production fees. The group warned that delays in reaching agreements risk undermining the financial stability of creatives working across the industry.

The push comes as streaming services continue to dominate global television distribution, with British productions playing a major role in their international success. However, directors argue that compensation structures have not kept pace with the shift from traditional broadcasting to digital platforms.

The letter calls on major streamers to engage more urgently in negotiations and establish fair royalty frameworks that reflect the modern viewing landscape.

The dispute underscores broader tensions between creatives and streaming companies, as industry professionals continue to seek better pay structures in an era increasingly defined by global platforms and on-demand content.