Paralegal

Job Description

In 2025, Channel 5 and My5 are joining forces under one powerful new brand: 5 – delivering an all-new, unified experience across TV, streaming, and digital platforms.

We're looking for passionate individuals to help shape this next chapter. This unified brand will revolutionize TV, streaming, and digital platforms, offering expanded free streaming services, more UK drama originals, and specially curated FAST channels.

With personalisation and cutting-edge, data-driven advertising solutions, 5 is set to lead the future of entertainment. After an impressive year of industry-leading growth, including a 40% surge in viewership in 2024, 5 is gearing up to transform the viewing experience- and we want you to be a part of it!

Help us create a brand that delivers unlimited entertainment, always free. Join the team driving the 5 relaunch and shape the future of how the world watches.

Is this the role for you?

Working as a Paralegal to support the Content BALA team, with a particular focus on Channel 5 as part of the Future 5 project. You will be assisting across the broad portfolio of content commissioning and acquisitions, initially focusing on the work required to ensure the timely launch of the new ''5'' app (which will include Channel 5's linear, on demand and FAST services). Review existing commissioning and acquisitions agreements, assess our rights, and identify potential needs. Assist in negotiating and drafting new license agreements and revising existing contracts. Collaborate with internal and external partners, including commissioning and commercial leads, producers, film studios, and distribution companies.

As well as supporting the negotiation of rights agreements, you will also assist with the management of the metadata we hold in respect of the rights that we have, documenting the rights position and inputting appropriate information into the rights management system. Responsibilities and workflow may change depending on the needs of the business so the ability to adapt to changing requirements is essential.

What will you be doing?

Key responsibilities may include but not be limited to the following:
• Review Channel 5's standard and non-standard production agreements and licenses across all genres including children's, factual, entertainment and scripted to establish rights position, on linear and VOD/FAST.
• Make contact with producers and licensors to negotiate and agree rights.
• Draft and negotiate rights agreements/amendments to obtain rights and rights extensions for the combined streaming service and other services as required.
• Manage workflows and spreadsheets in a timely and efficient manner to be able to track rights and negotiation status at any one time.
• Regularly liaise with stakeholders within the BALA team and wider business by updating in writing or verbally including taking part in meetings as required.
• Highlight problem areas and escalating as appropriate within the team.
• Collaborate with other BALA Paralegals/Trainees and Coordinators to ensure effective communication, information sharing and allocation.
• Review and research clearances on Programme as Completed Forms, flagging any uncertain areas.
• Conclude intercompany agreements based on agreed templates.
• Record accurately, and in a timely manner, the rights and deal terms within the rights management system, managing any system queries as they arise.
• With guidance, assist with the drafting and negotiation of other rights related agreements.
• Act as a general legal support for other members of the team on occasions, including drafting, ad hoc projects which may include rights audits, research, process notes etc.
• Contributing towards team meetings and initiatives and best practice workflows including improving contract templates and process as required.
• Carrying out ad hoc administrative tasks where required.

What are we looking for?
• Candidate with a background in law or rights management and prior experience of working for a broadcaster, other media organization or as a paralegal in a law firm.
• A team player who is flexible, open, enthusiastic, and organized and not fazed by dealing with a large volume of contracts or data.
• The ability to draft and negotiate in writing and verbally a variety of rights agreements.
• Some experience in rights management highly desirable including experience in capturing rights in rights management systems.
• Excellent IT skills on all major systems including Word, Excel, Outlook, (Powerpoint).
• Experience of broadcast rights, rights management, rights exploitation, and scheduling.
• Knowledge and understanding of contracts and rights clearance.
• Good knowledge of rights in the context of TV and beyond and acquiring the best rights position in such negotiations.
• Excellent knowledge of database management.

Channel 5 is an award-winning public service broadcaster and the UK's third latest commercial TV station, reaching 3 in 4 of the UK viewing public each month. The channel has a diverse schedule of original programmes across genres including issue-led documentaries, popular factual, accessible history, stunning natural history, inclusive entertainment and reality, top level sport, high quality scripted programming, headline-grabbing current affairs and critically acclaimed children's and news programming. Channel 5 is a unit of Paramount Global.

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.

If you have any difficulties in applying or require access needs arising from a mobility or any other impairment please let us know by emailing uk.recruitment@vimn.com or calling 0207 555 1234. We can then ensure your experience and visit is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r04o9e-18-224-38-176-42 in your application.