Media Finance

As one of the UK’s largest dedicated Media Finance teams, we advise both financiers and those seeking finance on the structuring and completion of complex production financing arrangements including the accessing of global audiovisual tax incentives.

Having represented all the major UK based, and a number of international, banks in this space, our understanding of complex financing activity makes us highly sought after. Our clients also include blue-chip private lending institutions in relation to structured finance and transactions, as well as public funders, a range of private equity investors and a number of the post-house financiers active in the media finance sector in the UK.

Our lawyers are at the forefront of the fast-paced change in the media and creative sectors, involved in ground-breaking developments in the sources and models for production finance and increasingly complicated distribution deals.

Media finance services

• international co-productions
• multi-party financings
• equity and mezzanine investments
• bank and/or senior lender financings
• regional and national public funding
• security arrangements
• tax efficient structures
• refinancing

Uniquely rooted in the media finance space

Beyond the UK, we have sourced and navigated many pan-European and international co-production models. With our track record, contacts and insight in the media and creative industries, we can identify opportunities that others might miss. Our extensive network means we can connect those looking to attract finance with suitable financiers, as well as structure an array of complex finance arrangements for our clients.

Film and TV finance is our bread and butter, and our team is second to none. What makes us stand out is the depth of our experience and knowledge of the entire film-making food chain – the majority of our team has worked in-house within the industry with exposure to all aspects of the creative process from sales to distribution and production. Aside from film and TV, Lee & Thompson has specialist teams across the wider media and creative industries including videogames and interactive entertainment, music, marketing and beyond. As these industries converge, we are seeing ever more interesting avenues for investment and financing.

We pride ourselves on being sensibly commercial, realistically pragmatic, immersed in our industries and able to find deals for clients, pulling the puzzle pieces together for the benefit of all parties.