Film and TV Profit Participations: The Future of Upside for Streaming Entertainment

Sponsored by the Digital Entertainment, Television and Radio Committee, and the Motion Pictures Committee of the EASL Section.

Film and TV profit participation formulas for creatives have historically started with pooling of revenues from different exhibitors, in different media, in different countries. But what happens when a streamer is the sole exhibitor, worldwide?

In this program, four panelists – a noted television producer, a royalty auditor, a business/legal affairs executive at a top independent TV company, and a former senior studio executive who is now a consultant, will examine the impact of this new scenario and how it affects creatives, producers, and entertainment lawyers who service the film and television industry.

Speakers: 

Caryn Mandabach (Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd.) has had a long association with Carsey Werner Productions, producing such iconic hits as The Cosby Show, Roseanne, Third Rock from the Sun and That 70’s Show. She currently produces and owns Peaky Blinders and is now based in England.

Peter Klass is a principal and a filmed entertainment practice leader at GHJ, a CPA and business advisory firm in Los Angeles. He has more than 20 years of entertainment accounting and audit experience. He specializes in profit participations and contract compliance of film and television programs and also consults on disputes/litigations and profit sharing arrangements.

Tom Lane (ITV Studios America) is EVP, Business and Legal Affairs with responsibility for scripted programming at ITV Studios America. Before ITV, he had a long tenure at CBS, culminating in a SVP, Business and Legal Affairs position.

Robert Osher (Consultant) has held top business affairs and operating positions at major film companies including Disney, Turner Pictures, Miramax and Sony. He is now a consultant to film, TV, digital and animation companies and CEOs as well as private equity investors.

Program Chair and Moderator:

Ezra Doner (Law Office of Ezra Doner), who is based in New York, specializes in film and television transactions. He has held in-house positions at major film companies and served as a partner and counsel at AmLaw 100 law firms.

Please note, this program is for informational purposes only and does not carry any CLE credit.