I want to offer them a motorcycle racing championship we have the opportunity of filming in 2011 but I have never dealt with MotorsTV before. I am told they don't produce tv, just buy the rights to broadcast? Not sure if this is true or not, obviously don't want to get gazumped!

If you've never done a license agreement for a cable tv show, you could find yourself in a bit over your head.

These deals can be somewhat complex. Ultimately, though, you're just granting the channel some limited time rights to broadcast the show.

Some cable networks don't pay enough to cover production costs, so beware. In some cases, they'll offer you a "Barter" deal, in which they give you the airtime, but YOU have to sell the ad inventory.

In others, they'll do a partial barter deal.

Gordon P. Firemark
Entertainment & Media Law