Teletubbies company faces actors' boycott

The company behind hit shows including Teletubbies could face an actors’ boycott by Equity over claims it used unfair contracts, the union Equity said today.

Ragdoll, which makes children’s television series such as Rosie and Jim and Brum, does not use the contracts agreed by other programme-makers and Equity, and the union said it could mean performers were missing out.

‘‘We have been trying to persuade Ragdoll to use the agreed contracts and are considering asking our members not to use Ragdoll unless they reconsider,’’ Equity spokesman Martin Brown said.

‘‘That wouldn’t have an effect on older programmes like Teletubbies because there is no going back on those - the contracts were signed, unfair as they were.

‘‘But if they went into a new production with those contracts we would ask performers not to work with them.’’

Mr Brown said he did not know the exact detail of the Ragdoll contracts but said they had drawn criticism for only offering repeat fees in set circumstances and for not equalling the 17% royalty pay-out for overseas sales offered by companies like the BBC.

‘‘Performers working on shows such as Teletubbies have not had a share of the phenomenal success of that programme,’’ he said.

Teletubbies has sold to countries across the world since its launch in Britain in 1997, has been translated into 45 languages and has led to spin-off programmes and heavy merchandising.

It is estimated to have made Ragdoll, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, some £90 million.

An unnamed Equity member told The Stage newspaper: ‘‘Each contract for television work pays much less than the standard rate for television.

‘‘It includes buy-out clauses for eternity in all markets and options to use all images for marketing.’’

The actor said they had received ‘‘one small fee’’ for work for Ragdoll, despite it being shown around the world and repeated numerous times.

‘‘I do not understand why it can continue to get away with what is an appalling practice and very unfair on actors,’’ the union member added.

Ragdoll spokesman Chris Bates said ‘‘We have always taken the view that our contracts are fair, that we do treat people fairly, but if Equity were to approach us again we would be more than happy to discuss things.

‘‘We have had discussions over the years that haven’t really produced anything but we wouldn’t want to pre-judge anything.’’

Mr Bates said Ragdoll did not discuss the terms of its contracts with performers and said he did not know who had contacted The Stage.

Asked about the possible boycott, he said: ‘‘We are very busy and are working on a number of new productions. It is something we would want to talk to Equity about.’’