Directors UK Appoints Former Disney General Counsel Peter Wiley for Upcoming Streaming Royalties Negotiations

Directors UK has appointed Peter Wiley, the former General Counsel at Disney, as its new legal advisor in preparation for crucial negotiations over streaming royalties. Wiley, who joined Directors UK this week, brings extensive experience from his tenure at Disney, where he served as European General Counsel from 2005 to 2015 and later as International General Counsel until 2023. In these roles, Wiley led Disney’s legal teams for film and TV, overseeing production, licensing, broadcasting, and direct-to-consumer distribution.

Wiley’s hiring comes amid ongoing efforts by Directors UK to secure fair royalties from major streaming platforms. The organization recently contacted leading U.S. companies—Disney, Netflix, Amazon, Paramount, Apple, and Warner Bros. Discovery—seeking better compensation arrangements for its members. According to reports, Directors UK has warned that it may withhold copyright from these platforms if negotiations do not progress favorably.

Directors UK, which currently has a royalty agreement with UK broadcasters and Sky, aims to establish similar arrangements with streaming services. The addition of Wiley is expected to bolster the organization’s negotiating position with these global players.

Directors UK Chief Executive Andy Harrower praised Wiley’s extensive background in media law, noting that his expertise will be invaluable in advocating for the rights of directors. Wiley expressed enthusiasm for his new role, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring that directors receive the recognition and support they deserve.