Question:
Do Actors Get Paid for Reruns?
(by Jim Webb)
(Photo: Karolina Grabowski | Pexels)
When you settle in to watch your favorite TV show in syndication, you might wonder whether the actors continue to earn money every time the show airs. The answer is yes—actors do get paid for reruns, and this system of additional payments is known as residuals. Residuals play a significant role in the financial stability of many actors, ensuring they receive compensation long after the original filming has wrapped.
Understanding Residuals
Residuals are payments made to actors, writers, directors, and other participants in a TV show or movie for subsequent showings of the production. These payments are a result of collective bargaining agreements negotiated by unions such as the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA).
How Residuals Work
1. Initial Compensation: When an actor first works on a TV show or movie, they receive an initial payment for their work. This payment covers their services during the initial production phase.
2. Residuals Begin: Once the show or movie is rebroadcast, sold to a new market (like syndication, DVD sales, or streaming services), or used in any other way beyond the initial airing, residuals kick in.
3. Calculation of Residuals: The amount paid in residuals depends on various factors:
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- Type of Production: Different types of productions have different residual structures. For example, a network TV show might have a different residual formula compared to a streaming service show.
- Distribution Platform: The platform on which the rerun or re-use occurs can affect the residual payment. Network TV, cable, streaming services, and DVDs all have different payment structures.
- Contract Terms: The specifics of the actor’s original contract will influence their residuals. High-profile actors might negotiate higher residuals compared to lesser-known actors.
4. Frequency of Payments: Residuals are typically paid periodically, often quarterly, depending on how frequently the production is rerun or redistributed.
Example of Residuals in Action
(Photo: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels)
Consider a popular TV show that originally aired on a network and later entered syndication. Each time an episode airs on a syndicated network, the actors receive a residual payment. If the show is also sold to a streaming service, actors will earn residuals based on the number of views or the revenue generated by that platform.
Impact of Residuals
Residuals can be a crucial source of income, especially for actors who may not have consistent work. While big stars might not rely heavily on these payments, character actors and those with smaller roles often depend on residuals to sustain their careers. Residuals also recognize the ongoing value of creative work, ensuring that those who contribute to successful shows and movies are compensated for their ongoing popularity and revenue generation.
So, yes, actors do get paid for reruns through residuals, a system that ensures they are compensated for the continued use of their work. Next time you watch a rerun of your favorite show, remember that the actors are still benefiting from their performances, long after the cameras have stopped rolling.
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