Contracts Corner - Podcasts

It’s likely you know about the theatrical and commercial contracts that SAG-AFTRA has, but did you know that SAG-AFTRA also covers podcasts, micro-budgets, local commercials, influencers and more?  

Podcast Agreements

Podcasts are audio-recordings broadcast through services such as Spotify, Apple and other platforms, and topics cover dramatic, comedy, scripted or unscripted, interview, and/or true crime. SAG-AFTRA has TWO podcast agreements that allow access to SAG-AFTRA performers and coverage under the union umbrella.  

The Micro-Pod 

• Any producer or podcaster whose budget and/or projected earnings through advertising or sponsorship are less than $10,000 for one season of one podcast can sign. 
• It does not create eligibility towards union membership. 
• Pay rates are all negotiable between the producers and performers.
• No benefit contributions can be made.

Example: Janie is a SAG-AFTRA member and writes a scripted three-episode comedy podcast that she wishes to have a role in herself. She applies for the Micro-Pod agreement and, with her new signatory status, she is able to cover the work for herself and hire other SAG-AFTRA actors, and non-union actors, at a negotiated rate. While the non-union actor doesn’t earn eligibility, Janie and all her co-stars are able to work under a SAG-AFTRA contract.

The Independent Podcast Agreement

• Producers and podcasters with a corporation or an LLC whose project has a budget or expected earnings of $10,000 or more per season for one season of one podcast can sign.
• It does create eligibility towards union membership. 
• The minimum pay is negotiable, and benefit contributions are at a 20% rate. 
• Additional consent and negotiations are required for advertisements recorded in association with the podcast.

Example: Janie is a SAG-AFTRA member who established an LLC with her last podcast that took off and broke the internet back in 2010. Now she has a new show and a sponsor with a $125,000 budget. Janie applies for the Indie-Pod agreement and, with her new signatory status, she is able to negotiate a pay rate with her actors, contribute to their benefit plans and two of the actors are now eligible to join SAG-AFTRA.

Ready to sign your podcast? 
Email PodcastContracts@sagaftra.org.

Have questions? 
View our FAQ. 

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