Shows on the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Hgtv and Food Network may sound very different in the coming months. That’s because Discovery Networks, which owns those and other cable channels, is instituting a new pay policy that virtually assures no composer currently working on their programs will do so after Dec. 31.
Discovery has informed many of its top composers that, beginning in 2020, they must give up all performance royalties paid for U.S. airings, and that they must sign away their ability to collect royalties on all past shows on its networks.
Music makers surmise that the policy will result in an 80% to 90% drop in their income from these shows. It’s the last straw for many composers who say they will refuse to continue to score such series as “Gold Rush,” “Deadliest Catch” (pictured) and “Alaskan Bush People,” calling the new contract provisions “unprofessional,” “bullying,” “a corporate money grab” and “evil.
Discovery has informed many of its top composers that, beginning in 2020, they must give up all performance royalties paid for U.S. airings, and that they must sign away their ability to collect royalties on all past shows on its networks.
Music makers surmise that the policy will result in an 80% to 90% drop in their income from these shows. It’s the last straw for many composers who say they will refuse to continue to score such series as “Gold Rush,” “Deadliest Catch” (pictured) and “Alaskan Bush People,” calling the new contract provisions “unprofessional,” “bullying,” “a corporate money grab” and “evil.
- 12/12/2019
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
For the past 11 years, Emmy Award-nominated composers Jeff Lippencott and Mark T. Williams have made an indelible mark on reality television. Through music, they’ve helped create the sound for dozens of reality TV shows – many of them still around to capture the attention and hearts of viewers around the world. Collectively known as Ah2, Lippencott and Williams are still at it. This year, the duo are scoring music to these hit series: “Shark Tank” (ABC), “MasterChef Junior” (Fox), “The Apprentice” (NBC), “Celebrity Apprentice” (NBC), “MasterChef” (Fox), “The Biggest Loser” (NBC), and “Extreme Weight Loss” (ABC). Soon, their work will also be heard on “The Quest,” ABC’s upcoming reality adventure series created from the minds that produced New...
- 11/5/2013
- by Ian M. Cullen
- Monsters and Critics
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