Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Not all TV work is covered by the same contract – and that can impact your pay, working conditions and protections.
If you’re a SAG-AFTRA member working in news, sports, talk shows, reality or daytime TV, you may be working under the Network Television Code – a contract that operates very differently from the TV/Theatrical/Streaming agreement many performers are familiar with.
In this episode of Take 5, Linda Powell and Andy Garofalo break down the 2025 Network Television Code in clear, practical terms, so you can understand how it applies to your work and what to look out for before you accept a job.
In this episode:
- What the Network Television Code is and how it differs from TV/Theatrical/Streaming contract
- The types of shows it covers, from news and sports to talk, reality and soaps
- Who is considered covered “talent” under the agreement
- How the “program fee” structure works and what it means for your pay
Featuring:
SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Linda Powell
SAG-AFTRA Senior Manager, Entertainment Contracts, Theatrical, TV & New Media, Andy Garofalo
Any information provided in this video is provided for informational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of legal and/or financial counsel. You should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided in this video. SAG-AFTRA, its affiliates and contributors, shall not be responsible for any errors, omissions or damages arising from anyone’s use of the information described and/or contained herein.
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Watch our NEWEST videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCFx0MPpBfI2p358aDL6g6N&playnext=1&index=2
Follow SAG-AFTRA:
Website: sagaftra.org/home
Facebook: facebook.com/sagaftra
Instagram: instagram.com/sagaftra
Twitter: twitter.com/sagaftra
Watch more SAG-AFTRA:
Actor to Actor Interviews: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCH2A9ciqhchJRvXgFbhT0R&playnext=1
Events: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCY7OnjbhQXFMZespg2gUYd&playnext=1
Industry Panel Discussions: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaDDRF2OQQJWAYmB47v0j_06&playnext=1
Latest Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCFx0MPpBfI2p358aDL6g6N&playnext=1
Popular Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaDXBxaZ40JAOrS4hyf97nUy&playnext=1
About SAG-AFTRA:
Welcome to the official SAG-AFTRA YouTube channel. On this channel, you’ll find a variety of informational, entertaining, and educational content, including interviews, industry panel discussions, celebrity events, actor to actor interviews, SAG Awards red carpet footage, award show bts, and more. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. With national offices in Los Angeles and New York, and local offices nationwide, SAG-AFTRA members work together to secure the strongest protections for media artists into the 21st century and beyond.
#SAGAFTRA
Not all TV work is covered by the same contract – and that can impact your pay, working conditions and protections.
If you’re a SAG-AFTRA member working in news, sports, talk shows, reality or daytime TV, you may be working under the Network Television Code – a contract that operates very differently from the TV/Theatrical/Streaming agreement many performers are familiar with.
In this episode of Take 5, Linda Powell and Andy Garofalo break down the 2025 Network Television Code in clear, practical terms, so you can understand how it applies to your work and what to look out for before you accept a job.
In this episode:
- What the Network Television Code is and how it differs from TV/Theatrical/Streaming contract
- The types of shows it covers, from news and sports to talk, reality and soaps
- Who is considered covered “talent” under the agreement
- How the “program fee” structure works and what it means for your pay
Featuring:
SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Linda Powell
SAG-AFTRA Senior Manager, Entertainment Contracts, Theatrical, TV & New Media, Andy Garofalo
Any information provided in this video is provided for informational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of legal and/or financial counsel. You should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided in this video. SAG-AFTRA, its affiliates and contributors, shall not be responsible for any errors, omissions or damages arising from anyone’s use of the information described and/or contained herein.
Subscribe: bit.ly/subSAGAFTRA | Make sure to enable ALL push notifications!
Watch our NEWEST videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCFx0MPpBfI2p358aDL6g6N&playnext=1&index=2
Follow SAG-AFTRA:
Website: sagaftra.org/home
Facebook: facebook.com/sagaftra
Instagram: instagram.com/sagaftra
Twitter: twitter.com/sagaftra
Watch more SAG-AFTRA:
Actor to Actor Interviews: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCH2A9ciqhchJRvXgFbhT0R&playnext=1
Events: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCY7OnjbhQXFMZespg2gUYd&playnext=1
Industry Panel Discussions: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaDDRF2OQQJWAYmB47v0j_06&playnext=1
Latest Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCFx0MPpBfI2p358aDL6g6N&playnext=1
Popular Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaDXBxaZ40JAOrS4hyf97nUy&playnext=1
About SAG-AFTRA:
Welcome to the official SAG-AFTRA YouTube channel. On this channel, you’ll find a variety of informational, entertaining, and educational content, including interviews, industry panel discussions, celebrity events, actor to actor interviews, SAG Awards red carpet footage, award show bts, and more. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. With national offices in Los Angeles and New York, and local offices nationwide, SAG-AFTRA members work together to secure the strongest protections for media artists into the 21st century and beyond.
#SAGAFTRA
