ITV's World Of Sport Wrestlers Paid As Actors
"Collective bargaining agreement" similar to soaps and other programming.
The Wrestling Observer are reporting that ITV's World Of Sport tapings last month in Norwich created UK pro wrestling history.
According to the newsletter, the roster who worked the shows became the first group of wrestlers to enter a "collective bargaining agreement" with the TV studio. To anyone wondering what that is, it effectively means the talent roster negotiated fees similar to other ITV productions like Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
For the first time ever in the country, pro wrestlers were treated like proper television actors. That wasn't the case when ITV hosted the old World Of Sport show between 1965-1985. Back then, the industry wasn't regulated, so the modern example set today sets a new precedent for wrestling in the UK.
ITV taped blocks of programming between May 10-12 in Norwich, and it's expected they'll release them as a weekly series later this year.
The Observer also noted that performers were encouraged to "negotiate above the minimum" and had all travel and accommodation costs covered by the network throughout. The hope is that the show's first season will be a success and let the roster command a higher minimum rate for any follow up.