Revised: 2007-12-31

These are some things to remember when negotiating rates for commercial radio work. And please send us your accounts of successful negotiations.

• The rates suggested for copyright work are for limited licences: each extra use licensed attracts an extra fee.
• The rates are suggested as minima from which freelances will negotiate upward according to their experience and specialist knowledge and the value of the work.
• The rates for shifts are going rates: remember that paid time off should be added automatically - see Shift payments - tax and time off.
• Freelances who are registered for VAT will add it to every invoice.

Smaller stations will often try to get away with paying less than these rates - even those whose parent companies have agreed to them through the Commercial Radio Companies Association (in 2007 renamed The Radio Centre). We would much appreciate more reports of rates paid and NUJ members joining in discussion on negotiating them.

Generally useful links: