skip to main content

New PACT Agreement

We are delighted to have reached a three-year agreement with the Producers Alliance for Cinema & Television (PACT) which went live 1 March 2020.

Published: 05 March 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:30 PM
Photograph of popcorn on a red carpet.
We are delighted to have reached a three-year agreement with the Producers Alliance for Cinema & Television (PACT). Photo credit: Shutterstock

Rates will increase year on year by 2% during the term.

Adjustments to terms include:

  • Travel – emphasis away from a London centric approach
  • Porterage – Tuba plus mutes added to Category D
  • Multi-episodic – ability to record incidental music for up to 12 episodes with as many musicians and/or sessions as desired, so long as paid for at Combine Use Scale 1

There was also clarity to definitions:

  • Overdubbing - the following test shall be applied for overdubbing: ‘After recording, would the Musician be able to replicate the same performance (say in a live concert) without the requirement of an extra player.’
  • Call – defined as the attendance of a Musician at a studio on a single date, subject only to the breaks specified in the applicable clause of this Agreement. To the extent that if there is a break of two (2) hours or more between two (2) sessions on the same day, that would be regarded as two (2) separate calls.
  • Film (for sake of low budget) - an audio-visual work which will receive a theatrical release to a public paying audience.
  • Promotional Use – clarification that the ‘work’ can be used to promote only for the purposes which the work was first recorded (without further payment)

Read the full agreement.

When you are booked for an independent film or tv session or have a concert performance recorded (either for broadcast or dvd, web etc), please ensure the production company are clearing your rights by agreeing PACT fees. You should be signing a consent form.

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Naomi sat on stage with Allistair Elliott (Canada) and Juho Viljanen (Finland) during the panel event.

MU General Secretary Opens FIM International Freelance Conference 2026

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl opened the FIM International Freelance Conference in Brighton, hosted by the Musicians' Union, welcoming delegates from around the world and highlighting the opportunities and challenges facing freelance musicians today.

Published: 23 October 2026

Read more about MU General Secretary Opens FIM International Freelance Conference 2026
The five panellists sat on stage, in purple lighting, with FIM logo behind them.

International Delegates Gather for Day One of FIM Freelance Conference

Delegates at FIM's International Freelance Conference explored collective bargaining, organising freelance musicians and tackling discrimination, sharing international perspectives on improving working conditions and building a fairer, more inclusive music industry.

Published: 23 October 2026

Read more about International Delegates Gather for Day One of FIM Freelance Conference
Person playing acoustic guitar next to a small baby who is smiling.

MU Extends Parental Grant Application Period to 12 Months

The MU Executive Committee has agreed to extend the application period for the parental grant from six months to 12 months following the birth or adoption of a child, making it easier for members to access support when they need it.

Published: 22 October 2026

Read more about MU Extends Parental Grant Application Period to 12 Months
Illustration of a yellow lightbulb with a green leaf inside representing ideas, against a turquoise grey background.

Writing for Change: How Songs Can Inspire Climate Action

Can music help tackle the climate crisis? Chris Hutchings, composer and MU Climate Emergency Action Group member, explores how songs can inspire action, build community and help people realise they're part of a much wider movement for change.

Published: 19 October 2026

Read more about Writing for Change: How Songs Can Inspire Climate Action