NUJ Rate for the Job: Punditry

Updated: 2025-07-09

These rates have been reported by members of the National Union of Journalists and others, and printed in the Freelance, newsletter of London Freelance Branch. They are sorted by publisher/publication, then by date (most recent first). TIP: Use the "Find in page" command under your browser's "Edit" or "Search" menu to be sure of finding all occurrences of a publication/publisher. AND do note the year in which the rate was reported! See also the Freelance Fees Guide, which gives general recommendations. And read the disclaimer and the key to exactly what the entries mean.

Punditry / not broadcast Being interviewed as an expert and punditry in general. Except, for historical reasons, the majority of this work, which is done for broadcasters - see Broadcasting / news, Broadcasting / regional and Broadcasting / other. There, going rates apply - see the Fees Guide link. Here, negotiations are wide open.
Tell us what you've been paid for Punditry / not broadcast		Freelance Fees Guide
Publication / Programme - details & terms	Group	Year		Total paid	GR	XXXX
Queen Album By Album (book) 30-min pundit interview to be transcribed/edited by interviewer (job refused so don't know terms)		2017		175.00
A music festival (Poland) onstage interview with musician, about 60 minutes		2022		300.00
A music festival (UK) onstage interview with musician, about an hour		2022		250.00
An arts event onstage interview with well known artist, 90 minutess plus chair Q+A -		2022		500.00
Cambridge Festival on-stage live "Parky"-style interview, all exes paid, live rights only		2006		220.00
Chairing 1-day international conf on specialist subject all travel, accommodation, subsistence paid		2016		500.00
Classic Rock DVDs (not Classic Rock the mag) being interviewed about a band		2006		150.00
Film company taking part in a symposium, all expenses paid		2019		150.00
Film company 20-minute publicity interview with star		1998		1500.00		OO
Large technology vendor Presenting at internal meeting paid for preparation and slides, travel and attendance (3 days work); travel and hotel paid; publisher took £500 fee on top		2007		1500.00		XX
Music Review DVD being interviewed about a band for an hour or so		2006		275.00
National women's organisation local group 40-minute talk		2017		60.00
Prism films offered for talking about U2 (a music combo) for DVD - at your place		2006		150.00		X
Prism films talking about U2 for DVD - at their place		2006		200.00		X
Prism Films 1-hour "pundit" interview for music DVD, upped from £150 for contributor "having proved themself"		2006		200.00
Prism Films 1-hour "pundit" interview for music DVD		2006		150.00		X
Record company talking about a band for DVD - negotiated by classifying part as 'expenses'		2006		275.00
Sky News one live TV punditry, one pre-recorded -		2018		150.00
South Bank Centre expert panel discussion participant 90 mins, exes £60 +	_HMG	2015		300.00
University in UK One hour talk followed by Q&A up to one hour £60/day subsistence + £250 max travel expenses		2015		150.00
Vendor 40 min presentation plus 10 min podcast day rate, expenses (travel and hotel) paid on top; this is half the fee paid by the client, the rest went to the publisher (ie client paid 1k total)		2007		500.00		X
Victoria & Albert Museum offered £750 for a talk, which member agreed instantly by mistake - so asked for around £500 of freebies from sponsor, and got them	_HMG	2016		1250.00
Key to the rates, by column:
1 Publication / Programme, any details of work and licence
2 Owner at the time the rate was reported, where known	Group
3 The year in which the rate was reported		Year
4 Currency: either or or (US)
5 Amount paid (total of basic licence and extra licences for web use, database resale...)				Amount
7 "Going Rate" according to experienced NUJ members - do try to better it:					GR
or Minimum rate set out in NUJ House Agreement:					HA
8 Underpaid, in the fallible opinion of the Freelance editor:				50.00		X
or Just sometimes we're pleasantly surprised:				1500.00		O

Other rates:

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