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Question:A partner and I are putting together a business plan for the funding of two broadcast-quality documentaries (biographies on writers) to present to investors. The total package is for about $400,000. The only problem is that we don't know what the average going rate is for the selling of broadcast rights here and abroad, which hampers our efforts.

We're sure that money can be made in selling all the assorted distribution/screening rights (different channels in America, Canada, Europe, etc.), and the DVD releases, but we need some figures to work with.


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: A partner and I are putting together a business plan for the funding of two broadcast-quality documentaries (biographies on writers) to present to investors. The total package is for about $400,000. The only problem is that we don't know what the average going rate is for the selling of broadcast rights here and abroad, which hampers our efforts.

We're sure that money can be made in selling all the assorted distribution/screening rights (different channels in America, Canada, Europe, etc.), and the DVD releases, but we need some figures to work with.
There's no real "average rate" in this case. It's all a question of how desirable your doc is to the market. What you need to do is, as part of your business plan, estimate the profile of your subjects (ie: Is it internationally famous Hemingway, or someone only known to the U.S.), look at bios of authors on the same level, and see what kind of appeal and monetary return they produced. By looking at your films in comparison to other docs on similar subjects you'll be able to make a fair estimate of how much you can expect to receive for broadcast rights and what territories are more likely to be interested.