Recording & Broadcasting Advisory Board

About the Recording & Broadcasting Advisory Board

The Recording & Broadcasting Advisory Board is a consultative and strategic body within the Musicians’ Union (MU) Recording & Broadcasting Department. The Board exists to represent and advocate for the interests of musicians working in recording, broadcasting, and related media across the UK. It informs MU policy, supports decision-making, and highlights sector-specific issues to the MU Executive Committee.

Role

The Advisory Board remit includes:

• Supporting MU officials in negotiations and consultations with broadcasters, record companies, film and TV producers, and other industry stakeholders by providing experience-based knowledge, feedback on working under the agreements and proposing better working conditions for musicians. This will include supporting MU Officials in the negotiation of the MU’s Collective Bargaining Agreements for recording session work
• Making recommendations to the MU Executive Committee on recording and broadcasting issues, including rights issues and campaigns, when requested by Union Officials.
• Promoting best practice, equality, diversity, and inclusion across the recording and broadcasting sector.
• Recruiting MU members working in recording and broadcasting and encouraging active participation in their workplaces.
• Supporting officials to respond to sector developments on areas such as copyright, AI, the media requirements of record labels and production companies, pay, terms and conditions, and health & safety. This will be carried out by Advisory Board members sharing in-studio experiences and the impact that developments in these areas will have on their careers.
• Reporting to officials on matters affecting the engagement and working conditions of Recording & Broadcasting / Session musicians where the union may have some influence on improving terms and conditions or collecting information on best practices

Areas of focus 

• Pay and Conditions: Supporting Union officials who negotiate and review rates for recording and broadcasting work, providing feedback from lived experiences, and addressing inconsistencies across the sector in areas such as session fees, media rights requirements royalties, and secondary use payments.
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: Working with the MU and partners to improve recruitment practices, support underrepresented groups, and ensure fair treatment for all musicians.
• Health & Safety: Advocating for safe working environments, including hearing protection, access, and wellbeing support.
• Sector Advocacy: Supporting Union officials with lobbying for improved funding, fair treatment, and recognition of musicians’ contributions by providing case studies, attending events, participating in petitions, rallies, and showing solidarity with other MU members and sister unions.
• Copyright and Licensing: Advising on performers’ rights, copyright in sound recordings, consent, and contracts. Overseeing industry developments and emerging technology to protect musicians’ rights. Proactively seeking redress for unlicensed or unauthorised uses of commercial audio.

Recent achievements and ongoing work

• Supported MU officials to negotiate pay uplifts and improved terms for musicians across multiple agreements, including advertising, film, TV, production music, video games, and commercial audio.
• Advocated for improved licensing, royalties, and secondary use payments.
• Supported the creation of working groups on EDI, health & safety, and emerging technology.
• Helped to build a level playing field for session musicians and contractors through the MU’s Approved Contractors scheme
• Reported to Union Officials on sector challenges such as contractual rights requests, late payments, undercutting of fees and terms, non-payment issues, and royalty income matters.
• Provided support for campaigns, including Fix Streaming
• Promoted best practice in recruitment and fair treatment for all musicians.
• Made regular suggestions to increase session work in the UK through improving the terms the MU’s Collective Bargaining agreements, providing further options for session work and building relationships with industry partners.

Standing for the Recording & Broadcasting Advisory Board

Seats: The Advisory Board comprises elected members serving two-year terms, with broad representation across genres and roles in recording and broadcasting.

Meetings: The Advisory Board meets several times per year, primarily online, with occasional in-person or hybrid meetings.

Eligibility: To stand for election, you must be a recording artist or session musician and Recording & Broadcasting Sector member. You must be nominated by a fellow Recording & Broadcasting Sector member. The Board aims for broad geographical and sector representation, with reserved seats to support diversity.

Co-option: The Board may co-opt additional members to address gaps in representation or expertise, with full voting rights.

Why join?

As a member of the Recording & Broadcasting Advisory Board, you will have the opportunity to: 

•   Influence MU policy and negotiations affecting Recording & Broadcasting and Session musicians.
•   Develop as an activist and leader within the sector.
•   Network with peers, MU officials, and industry stakeholders.
•   Help shape the future of recording and broadcasting work in the UK.

Responsibilities

Board members are expected to: 

• Attend meetings and contribute to discussions and working groups.
• Share responsibility for collective decisions and actions.
• Uphold the MU’s values of equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Act as a conduit between the recording & broadcasting community and the MU.

How to get involved

If you are a Recording & Broadcasting / Session musician and a member of the MU Recording & Broadcasting Sector:

• Stand for election to the Advisory Board (nominations open every two years).
• Participate in working groups and consultations.
• Contact the Advisory Board with issues, ideas, or feedback via rb@themu.org.

Learn more about the MU Recording & Broadcasting Sector.