How Barclays can help

Barclays has been providing dedicated support to the film and television industries for over 30 years.

Because we support so many of the top broadcasters and independent TV companies we fully understand the challenges and opportunities that today’s dynamic marketplace presents. 

The insight that our experience brings has enabled us to create products specifically suited to the needs of the modern market and we’ve detailed a few of the key ones below. 

But our support for the sector is far more extensive than simply providing finance. We regularly partner with industry bodies such as Women in Film & TV, publications such as this with Broadcast and we create thought leadership to help production companies gain another perspective on the key issues of the day, from Brexit to the Modern Slavery Act.

 If you are interested in understanding more about how we could support your business, please get in touch.

Lorraine Ruckstuhl
Head of Media, Barclays
Lorraine.ruckstuhl@barclays.com

We understand the cash flow challenges that creating high quality content in the current market can present. The traditional payment on delivery model is quickly being replaced with a more staggered payment approach – particularly when working with the SVODs where payments can be deferred over the duration of the content’s lifecycle on the platform.

We have a flexible approach to supporting production companies with finance – providing the production is fully financed. We are willing to provide financing against the major global broadcasters, distributors or publishing or merchandise advances.

We are also able to extend our finance for up to three years post-delivery to assist with cash flow when working with SVODs (subject to certain conditions).

Where you may be selling existing IP or library content to SVOD distributors, we are able to lend against the value of the licence via our contract receivables product (detailed below) to give you the cash benefit upfront.

We are able to use our contract receivables finance to purchase the receivables contract from an SVOD or broadcaster – by purchasing the rights to receive all the future contracted cash flows due under the contract.

This accelerated cash flow helps production companies realise the value of the contract upfront, thereby increasing working capital and enabling them to re-invest in the lifeblood of the industry: new ideas. 

Barclays’ purchase of the contract on a non-recourse basis has no effect on your balance sheet and the full value of the contract can be recognised as revenue at the point of purchase.

The content must be fully delivered and accepted. We can use it to re-finance production debt or discount library content where an SVOD licence has been sold. 

In addition to the industry-specific options above, we also have a range of more standard products which are available for production companies where required.

Optimise your working capital with products that enable you to efficiently manage funds, payments and collections.

Fund growth and acquisitions in confidence with the support of our specialist finance team.

Reduce the risk of the exchange rate volatility and benefit from our sector professionals who can offer you products that meet your FX requirements.

Ease cashflow fluctuations with a range of products that can support you in covering everyday expenses or planning for growth.

We can link you with the card and payment products of our card business.