Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the signing demonstrates intent, consent to electronic transactions, attribution to the signer, and the record can be retained and reproduced. Verify any ESIGN consumer disclosures for consumer-facing deals.

Are notarization or witness signatures required?

Typically no for a Television Program Agreement, but certain jurisdictions or specific contract provisions may require notarization or witness acknowledgment for specific instruments. For deeds, wills, or power-of-attorney style documents, follow state rules and consult counsel where necessary.

How do I correct mistakes after signing?

Use an amendment or executed addendum signed by all parties that identifies the original agreement and the changes. Minor typographical errors may be corrected by written confirmation, but substantive changes require consent and a new or amended signed document.

Who can sign on behalf of a company?

An authorized officer or agent with delegated signing authority may execute the agreement. Confirm authority through corporate resolutions, bylaws, or an officer's certificate; require proof of authorization when relying on third-party signatories to avoid disputes or unenforceable signatures.

How long should I retain signed agreements?

Retain the executed agreement for the full contract term plus at least three years to meet IRS recordkeeping standards; keep healthcare-related records six years under HIPAA and longer where state law or contract specifies.

Can I use remote online notarization (RON)?

Many states permit RON with identity proofing, audio-video recording, and retention requirements; confirm the state's permanent RON status and the notary's compliance. If RON is not allowed, use in-person notarization per state rules.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Television Program Agreement

Television Program Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

TELEVISION PROGRAM AGREEMENT

This Television Program Agreement (the Agreement) is made and entered into as of Effective Date: by and between Producer Name: and Licensee Name: .

Producer Address Licensee Address

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Producer has created and owns or controls the audiovisual material provisionally titled Program Title: , Episode/Installment No.: (the Program); and

WHEREAS, Licensee desires to obtain the rights to exhibit, distribute, or otherwise exploit the Program and Producer is willing to grant such rights under the terms set forth herein.

SCOPE OF WORK

Producer shall deliver a completed program meeting the specifications set forth below and shall perform the services described in this Section. Producer shall be responsible for production, post-production, and delivery of deliverables specified in the Delivery and Acceptance section.

Detailed Scope of Work

DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE

Producer shall deliver the Program in the Delivery Format specified and on the Delivery Dates set forth below. Delivery shall include all necessary materials for exhibition, including master files and documentation.

Delivery Requirements / Schedule

Acceptance Period (days):

RIGHTS GRANTED

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Producer hereby grants to Licensee the following non-exclusive or exclusive rights to the Program for the Territory and Term set forth below. The grant includes the right to exhibit, transmit, publicly perform, reproduce, and distribute the Program in the permitted media, subject to any exclusions set forth herein.

Grant Type: Non-Exclusive Exclusive

Territory / Media Specific Rights Reserved by Producer

PAYMENT TERMS

In consideration for the rights granted and services rendered, Licensee shall pay Producer as follows.

Total License / Production Fee Payment Schedule (milestones, amounts, due dates)

Deposit (if any): Due on:

Late Payment Fee: on overdue amounts, compounded monthly, and Licensee shall also be responsible for reasonable collection costs.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Term Start Date: Term End Date:

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party if the breaching party fails to cure such breach within Notice Period (days): days after written notice. Termination shall be without prejudice to accrued rights and obligations.

Upon termination, Licensee shall cease exploitation of the Program except as expressly permitted and shall promptly pay all amounts then due to Producer.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party shall keep confidential all non-public business information, creative materials, and technical details disclosed by the other party (Confidential Information). Confidential Information does not include information that is (i) already in the receiving party's possession without obligation of confidence, (ii) becomes publicly available other than by breach of this Agreement, or (iii) is rightfully obtained by the receiving party from a third party without restriction. The obligations of confidentiality shall survive termination for a period of Confidentiality Period (years): years.

WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND INDEMNITY

Producer represents and warrants that (a) Producer owns or has secured the necessary rights in the Program to grant the licenses herein; (b) the Program does not infringe the rights of any third party; and (c) the Program does not contain unlawful material. Licensee represents and warrants that it will exploit the Program in accordance with applicable laws and will not alter Producer's moral rights or credits except as expressly agreed.

Each party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party from and against any claim, loss or liability (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from the indemnifying party's breach of its representations, warranties, or obligations under this Agreement.

CREDITS AND PROMOTION

Licensee shall use Producer credit wording substantially as follows unless otherwise agreed: Credit Wording:

INSURANCE

Producer shall maintain customary production insurance, including general liability and errors & omissions coverage, in amounts consistent with industry standards and shall provide proof of such insurance upon Licensee's reasonable request.

GOVERNING LAW; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be resolved by binding arbitration in the agreed forum unless the parties mutually agree otherwise.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, together with any written attachments or exhibits signed by both parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, whether written or oral. No amendment shall be effective unless in writing signed by both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Titles and headings are for convenience only and shall not affect interpretation.

Producer (Print Name):

By:

Date:

Licensee (Print Name):

By:

Date:

What a Television Program Agreement Covers

Television Program Agreement is a written contract that sets the terms between a producer or production company and a broadcaster, distributor, or independent creator for the development, production, licensing, or distribution of a television program. It defines deliverables, payment and royalty structures, exclusivity, ownership of intellectual property, credit, delivery schedules, completion standards, warranties, indemnities, and termination rights. For U.S. transactions this agreement should also address compliance with applicable federal and state rules including ESIGN/UETA for electronic execution and any industry-specific regulations such as FCC rules where relevant.

Why a Written Agreement Matters

A Television Program Agreement clarifies rights and obligations, reduces disputes over ownership and compensation, and enables clear delivery and credit schedules. It protects creative and financial interests, supports licensing or syndication deals, and creates a record suitable for electronic execution under ESIGN and UETA.

Who Typically Prepares or Signs This Agreement

Typical users include producers, broadcasters, distributors, showrunners, and independent creators who need clear rights and payment terms.

Production companies managing rights, delivery schedules, talent obligations, and payment accruals.
Broadcasters and networks securing licenses, exclusivity, broadcast windows, and distribution rights.
Independent creators or writers assigning rights or licensing episodes to distributors.

Legal counsel, production accountants, and licensing managers often review or negotiate these agreements before final execution.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Agreement

Core sections of a Television Program Agreement outline rights, payments, delivery standards, credits, representations, warranties, and termination mechanics for production and distribution.

Parties

Identify all contracting parties with legal names, business entities, and contact details; specify whether third-party affiliates or parent corporations are bound and whether assignments require consent or notification.

Rights

Describe ownership and license grants for underlying scripts, footage, music, and trademarks; clarify exclusive vs nonexclusive rights and geographic or platform limitations, including duration of each grant.

Compensation

State production fees, licensing payments, royalties, backend participation, payment milestones, expense reimbursement terms, and audit rights for verifying revenue reports and accounting, including frequency and late-payment interest calculations.

Delivery

Specify delivery formats, technical specifications, delivery deadlines, accepted media or file types, quality standards, delivery points, and remedies for failure to meet completion or delivery milestones.

Credits

Define on-screen credit placement, billing order, press release requirements, use of names for promotion, and remedies for incorrect or omitted credits, including correction timelines and financial adjustments.

Termination

Set termination triggers, cure periods, obligations on termination such as delivery of materials, final payments, rights reversion, and survival of confidentiality and indemnity provisions and dispute resolution pathways.

Essential Information to Collect

Program Title: Official title as used in credits

Effective Date: Enter as MM/DD/YYYY; determines effective obligations

Parties' Legal Names: Full legal entity names required

Payment Terms: Amounts, schedule, and invoicing specifics

IP Ownership: Who owns scripts, footage, and music

Signature Blocks: Names, titles, dates, and authorized signers

Step-by-Step: Completing the Agreement

Follow these steps to complete and execute a Television Program Agreement accurately and to preserve legal enforceability and delivery obligations.

01

Prepare: Gather scripts, budgets, schedule, rights documents
02

Draft: Define scope, fees, deliverables, and IP terms
03

Review: Legal and accounting review for compliance and taxes
04

Execute: Obtain authorized signatures and date the agreement

Configuring an Online Signing Workflow

Configure an online signing workflow to control routing, authentication, field behavior, and final document delivery for the Television Program Agreement.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential or parallel routing; set signer order
Auth Method	Email link, SMS code, or KBA
Fields	Required, optional, conditional, and calculated fields
Notifications	Email confirmations and final PDF delivery

Where to File or Send the Executed Agreement

Typical submission flow shows where to send the executed agreement, who receives copies, and how delivery confirmations are recorded.

Upload: Attach final draft and supporting exhibits to the signing platform
Assign: Add signer emails and set signing order or parallel signers
Authenticate: Choose authentication level: email, SMS, or knowledge-based verification
Distribute: Send completed PDF to parties and archive audit trail

Digital Signing and Technical Requirements

Digital signing requires an eSignature platform that supports field placement, audit trails, secure storage, and acceptable authentication methods for the Television Program Agreement.

Formats: PDF, DOCX, and other supported files
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, and Box
Security: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Key Dates and Reporting Deadlines

Key dates govern performance, delivery, tax reporting, and royalty payments; contract must clearly state effective date and milestone deadlines.

Effective Date:

Determines when obligations begin and when deadlines start

Delivery Milestones:

List delivery dates for dailies, rough cuts, finals, and masters

Payment Dates:

Specify due dates, invoicing windows, and late interest

Royalty Reporting:

Establish reporting frequency and audit windows for revenue statements

Tax Forms:

Provide W-9 on request; comply with withholding and reporting rules

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

Failing to specify rights and ownership leads to disputes over control of future episodes, spinoffs, and derivative works that can halt distribution or require litigation.
Using vague delivery specifications or unspecified technical formats causes rejection by broadcasters or platforms and expensive rework of masters and metadata.
Mismatched legal names or missing signatory authority delays payments and can trigger backup withholding or invalidate license transfers.
Neglecting consumer ESIGN disclosures for consumer-facing agreements may jeopardize enforceability of electronic signatures under 15 U.S.C. ch. 96.

Penalties and Legal Risks

Tax Penalties: IRC §6721 fines for incorrect info returns

Backup Withholding: 24% withholding for missing TIN

I-9 Violations: Civil fines $281–$2,789 per violation

Contract Disputes: Breach claims, damages, injunctive relief

Enforceability Risk: Missing ESIGN consent undermines electronic signature

Notarization Failure: Improper notarization may void certain acknowledgments

eSignature Pricing and Capability Comparison

Compare starting prices and common capabilities for eSignature providers to decide which supports Television Program Agreement workflows and compliance needs.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Real-World Agreement Examples

Concrete examples illustrate how Television Program Agreements operate in real production and distribution contexts across parties and platforms.

Studio Distributor Deal

A mid-size studio licenses season rights to a streaming distributor with fixed license fees and backend royalties tied to viewing milestones.

License fees paid in three milestones.
The agreement included precise delivery specs for masters, a credit block, audit rights for royalty verification, and a reversion clause if minimum views were not met, avoiding ambiguity that can stall payments and platform launches.

Independent Creator License

An independent creator licenses three one-hour episodes to a cable network, granting nonexclusive broadcast rights and retaining underlying script copyright for future adaptations.

Creator receives upfront fee plus royalties.
The contract specified delivery formats, acceptance testing, credit placement, and payment triggers tied to delivery acceptance; the retained IP required clear assignment terms for any derivative adaptation, preventing later ownership disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequent questions about execution, electronic signatures, notarization, amendments, and storage of Television Program Agreements in U.S. legal contexts.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the signing demonstrates intent, consent to electronic transactions, attribution to the signer, and the record can be retained and reproduced. Verify any ESIGN consumer disclosures for consumer-facing deals.
Are notarization or witness signatures required?
Typically no for a Television Program Agreement, but certain jurisdictions or specific contract provisions may require notarization or witness acknowledgment for specific instruments. For deeds, wills, or power-of-attorney style documents, follow state rules and consult counsel where necessary.
How do I correct mistakes after signing?
Use an amendment or executed addendum signed by all parties that identifies the original agreement and the changes. Minor typographical errors may be corrected by written confirmation, but substantive changes require consent and a new or amended signed document.
Who can sign on behalf of a company?
An authorized officer or agent with delegated signing authority may execute the agreement. Confirm authority through corporate resolutions, bylaws, or an officer's certificate; require proof of authorization when relying on third-party signatories to avoid disputes or unenforceable signatures.
How long should I retain signed agreements?
Retain the executed agreement for the full contract term plus at least three years to meet IRS recordkeeping standards; keep healthcare-related records six years under HIPAA and longer where state law or contract specifies.
Can I use remote online notarization (RON)?
Many states permit RON with identity proofing, audio-video recording, and retention requirements; confirm the state's permanent RON status and the notary's compliance. If RON is not allowed, use in-person notarization per state rules.

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