BBC and Ivors Academy agree new commissioning standards for media composers
New guidelines developed with the Musicians’ Union set out expectations on publishing rights, generative AI, pitching and access, as the Ivors Academy expands its support for composers.
The BBC, BBC Studios Music Publishing, The Ivors Academy and the Musicians’ Union have agreed new commissioning guidelines designed to establish clearer and fairer standards for composers working on BBC productions.
Announced at The Ivors Academy’s 2026 Annual General Meeting, the guidelines cover areas including publishing rights, generative AI, pitching and contracting, additional music writers and measures intended to broaden access to commissioning opportunities.
They state that negotiations for new commissions should favour composers retaining publishing interests, while also setting out commitments to prioritise human creativity and respect creators’ rights in relation to generative AI.
The guidelines also call for greater transparency in pitching and contracting and for improved data collection to help widen access for underrepresented composers. The BBC will share them with independent production companies making programmes for the broadcaster.
Lord Neri, Chief Executive of The Ivors Academy, said: ‘These guidelines show what we can achieve together to protect composers’ interests and ensure their contributions are properly valued.’
He added that the Academy wanted commissioners across the industry to adopt similar standards.
Naomi Pohl, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union, said the agreement would help composers better understand the commissioning process and improve consistency in how they are treated.
‘The Ivors Academy and MU are working together to protect composers’, songwriters’ and musicians’ rights as generative AI develops,’ she said, adding that the organisations wanted others in the sector to make comparable commitments.
Wider support for composers
The commissioning agreement forms part of a broader programme announced by The Ivors Academy, whose membership has grown to 16,000, compared with 2,000 in May 2025.
The Academy has also confirmed its support for Basic Income for the Arts, arguing that guaranteed income models could provide greater financial security and enable more people to sustain careers in the creative industries.
Its work in this area is informed by Catherine Martin, Head of Policy at The Ivors Academy in Ireland and a former Irish Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, who oversaw the introduction of Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts pilot.
The organisation is also continuing to develop its proposed Living Composer Trust and will hold its first Composer Week in November.
The Ivors Composer Awards will take place on 17 November, recognising work across classical music, jazz, sound art, electronic music, film, television, games and stage.
The following day, the Composer Summit will bring composers and industry representatives together to discuss career development, industry issues and professional practice.