The agreement specifies that storyline ideas submitted by writers on spec or at the BBC’s request do not attract fees. However, if the BBC asks a writer to develop a storyline idea into a story outline, a fee is payable. The story outline fee is deductible from any eventual script commissioning fee.

The agreement provides for scripts to be commissioned under standard-form contracts, and for commissioning fees to be paid half on signature of contract and half on acceptance by the BBC for a single script, and in instalments where more than one script is involved. Minimum fee rates are specified for new and established writers. There are special provisions for educational programmes, teleplays commissioned for transmission in one BBC region only, and for Eastenders.

The agreement sets out the circumstances in which and extent to which the BBC is entitled to require rewrites, and/or to reject a script as unacceptable.

Payment of the commissioning fees specified by the agreement entitles the BBC to give one broadcast over its own transmitters within two years of delivery, and for that period to be extended for a further year on payment of a further 10% of the commissioning fee. The agreement provides for payment of residuals (ie percentages of the writer’s original fee) in respect of repeat transmissions, with different levels of residual for peak and off-peak repeats. There are special provisions for educational drama programmes.