Equity members working under the TAC/Equity Television Agreement have voted to adopt a new agreement setting minimum rates of pay, and terms and conditions for performers working on productions commissioned for S4C.
The updated agreement, negotiated between Equity and TAC represents the most significant modernisation of the agreement in many years and reflects major changes in television production, digital distribution, audience viewing habits and emerging technologies.
The agreement was approved by Equity members who had worked on the TAC agreement in the last five years, in a ballot which opened on 12 May and closed on 22 May 2026. Members voted 100% in favour of adopting the new terms, and further information on the agreement and it’s implementation date will be released soon.
The new agreement will remain in force until 31 December 2027, although there will be new minimum rates of pay for 2027 following negotiations scheduled to begin in August 2026.
Improvements to the agreement include:
- specific protections governing the use of artificial intelligence in television production.
- 7.5% increase in minimum fees (implemented from July 2025).
- a broad package of improvements to working conditions, access and inclusion protections, pensions, intimacy provisions and digital rights arrangements.
The revised agreement also supports the continuing evolution of Welsh-language public service media in a rapidly changing digital environment. New trial provisions covering extended digital availability on platforms such as S4C Clic, BBC iPlayer and authorised online channels establish updated payment structures linked to changing audience behaviour and the growing importance of streaming and on-demand viewing.
The agreement introduces a two-year trial framework for extended digital availability and digital-use-only commissioning, creating new collective payment arrangements while allowing Equity, TAC and S4C to jointly review how these models operate as audience consumption continues to evolve.
Llyr Morus, TAC Chair said:
“I am delighted that Equity members have voted unanimously to adopt the new TAC Equity Agreement. This will set a clear and practical structure moving forward building on the trust between performers and producers. The agreement provides a workable framework for linear and digital commissioning enabling S4C to meet its multi-platform strategy. I am extremely grateful to the TAC’s Rights Committee for their hard work in the negotiation process and to Equity and S4C for their collaboration, ensuring that best practice is embedded in all of our processes across the Welsh language production sector.”
Simon Curtis, National Official for Wales, Equity, said:
“This agreement represents a significant step forward for performers working across Welsh television production and demonstrates the vital role collective bargaining has to play in shaping the future of AI in the creative industries. This agreement establishes an important principle: technology should support and enhance human creativity, not replace or exploit it.
“At the same time, the agreement recognises that viewing habits and broadcasting models are changing rapidly. The new trial digital provisions create a framework to support the future growth of Welsh-language public service media across streaming and online platforms, while ensuring performers continue to share fairly in the value created by digital distribution.”
S4C’s Chief Operating Officer, Elin Morris, said:
“This agreement marks an important step in our strategy of becoming a digital-first broadcaster. At S4C, we remain committed to supporting a sustainable, fair and forward-looking industry that continues to deliver high-quality content that satisfies the needs of audiences across viewing platforms. We look forward to working with our partners to ensure the successful implementation of these changes.”