The German Screenwriting Association (DDV) and RTL Germany have agreed on new joint remuneration rules (GVR) for fictional primetime productions after around two years of negotiations. For the first time, the agreement provides for a systematic profit-sharing scheme for screenwriters.

The new regulations cover two areas: The GVR Primetime Fiction I applies retroactively to all RTL and VOX commissioned fictional productions from 2010 to 2021. GVR Primetime Fiction II regulates all productions from 2022 and future projects.

A central component of both agreements is a Reach model for profit sharing. Financial success is achieved if the average viewer reach of the first three broadcasts of a format exceeds the so-called reference reach by at least 40 per cent or if certain revenue thresholds are exceeded in international distribution. In addition, a share in the proceeds from the sale of format rights is provided for.

For the newer regulation (GVR Primetime Fiction II), the due dates of the remuneration were also adjusted in order to make payment more transparent and easier to plan.

Representatives from both sides emphasise the importance of the agreement. RTL emphasises that the remuneration of creative services will be more closely aligned with the commercial success of the content. DDV sees the agreement as an important step towards better participation structures for scriptwriters in German television production.

The agreement concludes a lengthy negotiation process that redefines the remuneration conditions for fictional content on German private television and, in particular, strengthens the role of authors in the success of their works.