The question "Do actors get residuals from reruns?" is a common one in the entertainment industry. In layman's terms, residuals refer to recurring payments that are made periodically for the same work. Many people assume that actors receive residuals when their movies or TV shows are rerun on television, but the truth is a bit more complicated.
Actors' earnings for their performances are typically paid out in one of two ways: a flat fee for the work, or a fee for the first run of the show or movie. After that initial broadcast, rights to rerun the content are often sold to other networks or streaming services, which complicates the matter of residual payments.
Understanding Residuals in the Entertainment Industry
Residuals in the entertainment industry are a part of the collective bargaining agreements between labor unions like SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and the respective production companies or broadcasters. These agreements detail the terms of payment for various types of reruns.
It's important to note that not all reruns are created equal. There are different types of reruns, each with its own set of rules when it comes to residual payments. These include broadcast syndication, basic cable reruns, and pay cable/streaming reruns, among others.
Broadcast Syndication Residuals
Broadcast syndication refers to the practice of selling the right to broadcast a TV show to local and national television stations. These showings are considered the first run of the show, and actors are not typically owed residuals for these broadcasts.
However, if a show is broadcast in syndication after the initial network run has ended, SAG-AFTRA members may be eligible for residuals. The amount and frequency of these payments depend on the specifics of the labor agreement and the number of times the episode is aired.
Cable and Streaming Residuals
Cable and streaming services often buy the rights to rerun TV shows and movies. The terms of these agreements can vary widely, but SAG-AFTRA members are generally eligible for residuals for these types of reruns.
For example, under the current SAG-AFTRA terms, actors may be paid residuals for basic cable reruns every 13 weeks after the initial airing, and for pay cable/streaming reruns every 26 weeks. The amount is typically based on a percentage of the show's initial compensation.
The Role of Contract Negotiations
While labor unions like SAG-AFTRA negotiate residuals as part of their collective bargaining agreements, individual actors can also negotiate their own residual payments. High-profile actors or those with significant leverage may be able to secure better residual terms in their personal contracts.
Moreover, the increase in streaming platforms has led to a shift in the way residuals are negotiated. With the potential for a show to have a long shelf life on these platforms, actors and their representatives may push for higher residual rates or more favorable terms.
Examples of Notable Residual Cases
One example of an actor successfully negotiating residuals is William Shatner. Shatner reportedly negotiated a contract for his role in the original "Star Trek" series that included a share of the syndication revenue, making him one of the highest-paid actors in the series' history.
Another example is Mark Harmon, who negotiated a deal for his role in "NCIS" that included a piece of the syndication profits. This deal has reportedly made him one of the highest-paid actors on television.
In conclusion, the question of whether actors get residuals from reruns isn't a simple yes or no. It depends on the type of rerun, the specifics of the actors' contracts, and the collective bargaining agreements between the unions and production companies. However, with the increasing number of rerun platforms and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on traditional production models, it's safe to expect that these negotiations will continue to evolve in the coming years.