Breaking Down a Cable TV Production Agreement + Template

What’s a Cable TV Production Agreement typically used for?

A Cable TV Production Agreement serves as the cornerstone in your relationship with the cable network you’re creating content for.

This detailed contract outlines everything from who has creative control to each party’s financial obligations. It also establishes clear expectations for both parties throughout the production process, along with methods for risk management and conflict resolution.

Why should you use a Cable TV Production Agreement?

Having an airtight production agreement in place protects both you and the network in a number of important ways. 

First, it helps you collaborate with your network partners by defining what kind of deliverables are required from you and a deadline for their completion. It should also outline which parties have creative control at various stages of production—from development to final cut— to protect everyone’s creative rights.

A Cable TV Production Agreement should also lay out detailed payment schedules and clear budget responsibilities to clarify the financial roles and responsibilities of all parties involved. 

Finally, a comprehensive Cable TV Production Agreement can help both you and the network plan for contingencies by addressing potential issues before they arise, ensuring that you can continue full steam ahead even when challenges emerge. 

And in production, they always do!

What does a Cable TV Production Agreement usually include?

A Cable TV Production Agreement can contain a number of different provisions and details, but you’ll want to make sure that the following are accounted for.  

Project scope

The scope section of a Cable TV Production Agreement serves to define the production's fundamental elements. Is the project a show or a movie? If it’s a show, how long are the episodes? How many will you be expected to produce? Reality or scripted?

This section should also outline any format specifications and technical requirements that must be met to ensure that the final product aligns with the network's standards. This might include anything from the cameras the content needs to be captured on, to the way the audio needs to be mixed, to the aspect ratio of the final product.

Additionally, this section of the agreement should address the delivery methods and formats for everything from rough cuts to final masters to ensure smooth technical integration with the network's existing content and systems.

Services

The services section dictates which responsibilities fall to you and which remain with the network. While the production company typically handles the bulk of pre-production, production, and post-production, the network often retains certain key responsibilities. 

For instance, after you deliver your cuts, the network might manage final color correction and sound mixing to their broadcast standards (or at least mandate technical specifications you must adhere to). 

Marketing might be a shared responsibility. The network might request that you capture behind-the-scenes content and provide basic promotional footage, but the network itself usually handles the creation of final promotional materials and trailers. 

Talent management is also often split: the production company usually handles day-to-day talent relations and initial casting, but the network might retain approval rights and handle talent publicity obligations. 

However the responsibilities are delineated in your specific deal, just make sure to be as specific as possible to prevent confusion and ensure all necessary tasks are properly assigned.

Deadlines

In TV, deadlines are king. This section maps out the critical milestones your production will have to hit—everything from shoot dates to delivery dates for cuts, ensuring that the network has enough time to review and send notes. 

Traditionally, episodes of cable television shows are written, shot, cut, and delivered as the season airs, making these deadlines even more important. Streaming has changed this, and many shows are now fully completed before the first episode makes it to air. But either way, final delivery deadlines are crucial. They align with the network's programming schedule and you don’t want to miss your air date!

Network review periods should also be built into the schedule, giving executives sufficient time to provide notes while keeping the production timeline on track.

Payment schedule

The payment schedule section outlines the financial framework of the production, detailing how and when funds will flow between the network and production company. 

These payments typically break down into several phases, with specific percentages released at key milestones such as pre-production, principal photography, and final delivery. This system keeps money flowing to production, while allowing the network to make sure that all deadlines are being met to their satisfaction before the next tranche of cash is released.

This is where Wrapbook's real-time financial tracking shines. Our platform allows production teams to monitor expenses as they occur and generate the precise financial reports networks require, making it significantly easier to maintain a transparent financial relationship.

Risk management

Finally, the risk management section of a Cable TV Production Agreement establishes important protections for both the network and production company throughout the production process. 

Some of these protections might include:

• Insurance requirements that spell out the specific types of coverage each party needs to hold. General liability, errors and omissions, worker's compensation, and production insurance. 
• Liability provisions that clearly define who bears responsibility for various potential issues, from on-set accidents to content-related claims. 
• Force majeure clauses that protect both parties in case of unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters or other events beyond their control that might impact production. 
• Intellectual property rights , including ownership of the finished product, underlying rights, and any derivative works. 

Who normally is involved in the contracting of a Cable TV Production Agreement? 

Again, most networks will provide their own agreements as drafted by their legal team, and it will fall to you or a representative of your company to negotiate for your interests.

If your company has a lawyer or legal team representing you, they can execute this negotiation on your behalf while keeping you abreast of important developments. Make sure to review the final document before signing to avoid any miscommunications or second guessing after the deal has been completed.

Wrapping up

A well-structured Cable TV Production Agreement forms the backbone of a successful production relationship. While networks will typically provide their standard contracts, understanding the key components helps you negotiate terms that work for all parties involved.

Ready to streamline your production finance and accounting processes? Wrapbook's next standard in production finance and accounting helps production teams manage payroll, track expenses, and maintain compliance with network requirements.

Or, if you want to dive deeper into TV production, check out our comprehensive guide to unscripted television production.