Trending Now - British Directors Demand Fair Residuals From Streaming Giants

WHO:

Variety - Directors from the U.K. including Saul Metzstein, James Hawes, Jeremy Lovering, Sam Miller, John Crowley, Colm McCarthy, and Sam Donovan.

Deadline - British directors including Asif Kapadia, Andrew Haigh, and Otto Bathurst.

WHAT:

Variety - Directors have called on streaming platforms to agree on a deal regarding royalties.

Deadline - An open letter has been signed by dozens of British directors urging streaming services to negotiate on residuals, expressing frustration over the lack of engagement from the streamers.

WHERE:

Variety - The directors are associated with popular U.K. shows such as “Slow Horses,” “Black Mirror,” and “The Crown.”

Deadline - The letter was organized by Directors UK, a trade body representing directors in the U.K.

WHEN:

Deadline - The letter was published on April 15th, 2026, more than 18 months after Directors UK threatened to withhold copyright from the streamers if negotiations did not occur.

WHY:

Variety - The directors argue that royalties are essential for their livelihood and are a "lifeblood."

Deadline - The directors state, “You know the value we bring – now we need you to show it,” indicating their demand for recognition and fair compensation.

HOW:

Deadline - The open letter serves as a formal request for negotiations regarding residuals from streaming platforms.

(UPDATED April 15, 2026 09:23 UTC)

British directors, including notable names like Saul Metzstein and Asif Kapadia, have published an open letter calling on streaming platforms to negotiate a deal regarding royalties, emphasizing the importance of these payments for their livelihoods. This letter, organized by Directors UK, expresses frustration over the lack of engagement from streaming services and was released on Wednesday, more than 18 months after a previous threat to withhold copyright if negotiations did not take place. The directors, associated with popular U.K. shows such as “Slow Horses” and “The Crown,” are urging the industry to recognize their contributions and provide fair compensation, stating, “You know the value we bring – now we need you to show it.”