For podcasters

Contracts for podcasters

A UK host, producer or guest needs a signed agreement before recording: episode deliverables, platforms, whether the deal is a guest slot, a host or producer , or a sponsorship, who owns the master and clips, fees, unused booked dates, exclusivity, approval, and advertising disclosure when the episode is an ad. CDPA 1988 s.11 makes the author first owner; s.90 needs a written, signed . Lex drafts that on one shared link.

Last updated 6 November 2026

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Templates podcasters use most

PartnershipsInfluencer agreementAn influencer agreement sets the posts, platforms, dates, usage rights and payment for a brand campaign with a creator.Read →Client workFreelancer agreementA freelancer agreement sets the brief, deliverables, rate, rights and payment terms between a freelancer and a client.Read →Client workServices agreement (MSA)A services agreement sets the standing terms for every project with a client, so each new job needs only a short statement of work.Read →Client workRetainer agreementA retainer agreement sets a monthly fee for a set amount of your time or availability, and what happens to unused hours.Read →Client workVideography contractA videography contract covers the shoot day, deliverables, usage rights and payment, plus cancellation, rescheduling and releases.Read →Client workMusic producer agreementA music producer agreement sets the producer’s fee, credits and any royalty share, and who owns the master and stems.Read →Client workStatement of workA statement of work sets the scope, deliverables, milestones and fees for one project under a wider services agreement.Read →NDAs & IPMutual NDAA mutual NDA lets two businesses share confidential information both ways before a deal, and says what each side can do with it.Read →

Which clauses decide a podcaster contract?

Five lines decide most podcast deals: the episode list and platforms, who owns the master and clips, the fee and unused booked dates, exclusivity, and advertising disclosure when the episode is an ad. Write them in an influencer agreement or a freelancer agreement before the first recording. Lex puts them on one paper the client signs from a link.

The clauses that usually decide a UK podcast deal. Assignment of copyright must be in writing, signed — CDPA 1988 s.90. Advertising disclosure is the ASA CAP Code and CMA guidance, not a statute we invent.
ClauseWhat it doesTypical podcast line
Deliverables and platformsWhat “done” looks like, and where it lives.Named episodes, length and platforms; clips quoted first.
IP of the masterWho owns the recording, edits and clips. of named uses on full payment; show kit stays yours.
Fees and The fee, VAT, unused booked dates.Named fee; booked dates cancelled inside 48 hours are charged.
ExclusivityCompeting shows or sponsors, and for how long.No paid reads for named rivals for a named window.
Advertising disclosureWhen the episode is an ad, and who labels it.Host-reads labelled Ad; brand warrants the claims.

What contract does a podcaster need?

Start from an influencer agreement for a brand sponsorship or host-read. A host or producer retainer sits on a freelancer agreement or a services agreement. A monthly slot sits on a retainer. A video podcast can sit next to a videography contract. Audio production can sit next to a music producer agreement. Repeat work can hang a statement of work under standing terms. If you are sharing an unreleased product before the deal is signed, a mutual NDA sits next to it. There is no podcast-only template; those papers are the closest fit. What should a UK podcaster contract include? is the England and Wales deep-dive. Lex drafts from one sentence; the client signs from one link.

How should episode deliverables and platforms be written?

Name the episodes, the length, the format and the platforms. “A podcast” is not a list. “Six 40-minute interview episodes; RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify; YouTube video in scope; clip cutdowns quoted first; no live taping” is a list. Extra episodes, a second season and paid amplification are a change of scope. Write what “done” looks like before the first recording. See What goes in a freelance or contractor agreement.

How should guest, host, producer and sponsorship deals differ?

A guest appearance is a named recording date, a release of the guest’s contribution, and often a fee or none. A host or producer retainer is ongoing . A sponsorship or host-read is a paid marketing communication: fee, category exclusivity, usage of the read, and advertising disclosure. Do not mix them on one silent paper. Brand-funded series are a production job plus a sponsorship, not a guest slot. See What should a UK podcaster contract include?.

Who owns the master, edits and clips?

The author is first owner of freelance copyright — CDPA 1988 s.11. For a sound recording the author is the producer: the person who made the arrangements necessary for the recording (s.9(2)(aa) and s.178). Commissioning an episode does not move that. An assignment is not effective unless it is in writing, signed — s.90. Paying an invoice does not move ownership. Write a licence of named uses on full payment, or an assignment if they are buying a buyout. Clips, social cutdowns and paid amplification are separate uses. See intellectual property assignment and usage rights and credit.

How should fees, kill fees and exclusivity work?

Write the fee, whether VAT is extra, when invoices go out, and unused booked dates. There is no default UK right to keep a deposit or charge a kill fee; both sides have to agree the sums. For a UK business client, late commercial payment carries statutory interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. An exclusivity clause that bars competing shows or sponsors needs a named category, a named window and a price. See payment terms and Client cancelled: can you keep the deposit?.

How should advertising disclosure, audience data and IR35 work?

A paid host-read or sponsored episode must be obviously identifiable as advertising — ASA CAP Code rule 2.1. The ASA and CMA prefer a clear Ad label. Write who posts that label; typically the host labels, the brand warrants the claims. If you collect audience emails or use tracking links for a client organisation, UK GDPR Article 28 needs a binding processor contract. No IR35 label decides the tax when you work through a personal company into a brand, network or agency. See data protection, IR35 contract clauses checklist and Contracts for social media managers.

Frequently asked questions

What contract does a podcaster need?

A guest, host, producer or sponsorship agreement covering episode deliverables and platforms, fees and unused booked dates, who owns the master and clips, exclusivity, approval, , advertising disclosure when the episode is an ad, and a . There is no podcast-only template; start from the influencer agreement, the freelancer agreement or the retainer.

Do I own the master until I am paid?

Yes, unless you already assigned copyright in writing, signed. CDPA 1988 s.11 makes the author the first owner. For a sound recording the author is the producer (s.9(2)(aa)). s.90 requires a signed written assignment. Paying an invoice does not move ownership. Write a licence or assignment on full payment.

Is a guest appearance the same paper as a sponsorship?

No. A guest slot is a named recording, a release of the contribution, and often a fee or none. A sponsorship or host-read is a paid marketing communication: fee, category exclusivity, usage of the read, and an Ad label. Write which deal you are doing.

Must a sponsored episode be labelled as an ad?

Yes, when the host is paid or otherwise incentivised to promote a brand. ASA CAP Code rule 2.1 says marketing communications must be obviously identifiable as such. The ASA and CMA prefer a clear Ad label. Write who is responsible for that line.

Can I keep the fee if the brand or guest cancels a booked date?

Only if both sides agreed unused booked dates and what is kept. There is no default UK kill-fee rule and no default right to keep a . For a consumer, a 14-day cancellation right can apply on a distance or off-premises service contract, and the term must be fair. Most brand–creator podcast deals are B2B.

Can my client sign without creating an account?

Yes. You share one link, the client reads the agreement in Plain English, agrees and signs. It is free for them.

Sources

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The legal wording governsLast reviewed 6 November 2026Pending lawyer review