Fieldfisher's media team excels at handling media financings, corporate finance, and M&A transactions. In particular, the group stands out for its expertise in advising on TV and film production deals and financings, and media asset production and distribution matters are also key focuses of the firm. The practice is jointly led by Stephen Saltzman and Carlton Durrant; Saltzman is well-known for his media and entertainment expertise, utilising his overseas experience in the US to advise American, European, Asian, and UK-based studios and mini-majors on global cross-border deals. Durrant is a corporate transaction specialist, and he advises both domestic and overseas media clients on investments, fundraising, M&A, and joint ventures. Alice Taylor is noted for assisting with media-related transactions. Tim Johnson retired from practice in December 2024.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP fields a strong media finance team led by Abigail Payne, who is the go-to for film and TV production, financing, and distribution issues. She is known for her specialty in structuring finance and advising on international subsidies, tax credits, EIS and SEIS finance. The team works across a number of media sectors, including film and TV, theatre, publishing, games, music, and live events. The group acts for both financiers and media companies in debt, equity, and tax financings. Corporate specialist Charles Leveque aids investors, funds, and companies in the media sector with M&A, investments, joint ventures, and fundraising. Music-related venture capital investments are handled by Kieran Jay. Ed Lane was promoted to partner in April 2025 and is well-versed in fundraising, start-up ventures, growth equity investments, SEIS, and EIS investments for companies in the media industry.

Lee & Thompson LLP's media finance practice is centred around film and TV financing, advising financiers, producers, studios and others looking for support in structuring deals. The team has represented UK-based banks, lending institutions, and private equity firms in structured finance-end transactions, and a large portion of the deals the firm handles are cross-border co-production film and TV deals. Practice head Sam Tatton-Brown is sought out for his film and TV finance expertise, advising on audio-visual rights, production, and exploitation. Film specialist Christos Michaels boasts a wealth of experience handling complex deal structures, including multi-party structured arrangements, studio, and streamer deals. Sarah Cundall is noted for her work on financing for film and TV clients.

Reed Smith LLP’s media finance team is well-known for its longstanding expertise in media financings, regularly acting for financiers, studios, producers, production companies and broadcasters. The team is also particularly well-versed in assisting major banks with a range of film and TV production financing, including cross-border deals handling security arrangements and investor’s interests. The team also advises clients on renegotiating media rights and restructuring agreements for large productions, as well as assisting clients with adhering to new distribution models. Tax incentives and regulatory compliance are also key areas of the practice. Industry expert Michael Maxtone-Smith is sought after for his specialism in gap, presale, and tax credit lending, as well as multi-party financings and refinancings. Henry Birkbeck works alongside Maxtone-Smith on complex financings, assisting with development financing and representing financiers in international film and TV productions. Elle Todd leads the entertainment and media group and assists with a variety of media mandates. Sophie Goossens left the firm in February 2025.

The premier film and TV practice at Sheridans boasts ample experience advising clients on complex financing, development, production, and exploitation matters. The team advises a wide array of clientele, including financiers, production companies, studios, distributors, sales agents, and talent. Spearheading the practice, James Kay leverages his expertise across film and TV to advise lenders, film producers, major studios, and comedians on complex financing deals. Jacqueline Hurt supports a mixture of US studios and North American European producers and distributors, as well as banks, investment funds, and financiers with the production and financing of audio-visual content. Of recent note, Jeremy Roberts has notably been involved in innovative TV projects and equity investments. Nick Mahara centres his practice on film production and talent deals, while Robin Hilton advises on the financing, distribution, and monetisation of audiovisual content across film and TV, books, and animation.

The film and TV practice at Wiggin LLP is led by Neil Gillard, a film and TV production, finance, and distribution specialist; Gillard assists clients with end-to-end production guidance, advising production companies, broadcasters, distributors, and public funders. Other clientele of the firm include banks, financiers, major and independent film studios, streaming services, and sports broadcasters. The practice is often sought out for its expertise in advising both domestic and international productions on sales and acquisitions, financings, and joint ventures. Chris Hammond is a go-to for US studios, assisting with financing and acquiring film and TV in the UK and across Europe. Alexander Lea assists with UK production and film investment deals, Gráinne McKenna is key to acting for US clients, and David Quli is renowned for his expertise in advising financiers, producers, and distributors on complex financing and exploitation matters. Chris Hanson excels in media financing for the animation sector, while Daniel Whybrew utilises his experience in Los Angeles to advise film clients in North America and Europe.

Led by media finance specialist Rebekah Hayes, CMS focuses on advising media financiers, such as banks and lenders, on film and TV financings. It is also well-versed in assisting producers with financing, production, and distribution of independent films and media projects. The firm leverages its international presence to advise on cross-border mandates alongside its colleagues in Europe, assisting with international production incentives and subsidiaries. Alongside its expertise in film and TV financing, the team also supports clients with theatre facility arrangements and financings for productions in the UK. Laurel O’Dell assists Hayes with advising financiers and production companies.

Latham & Watkins has a strong international presence, aiding clients with cross-border multinational deals in the media and entertainment sector. The team is adept at handling a wide range of transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, investments, and dispositions for media clientele. The team is jointly led by Rachael Astin and Patrick Mitchell who are both well-versed in corporate media issues; Astin centres her practice on advising US studios and international TV groups on transactional issues such as mergers, licensing deals and investments, while Mitchell predominantly advises broadcasting and media companies, including sports governing bodies, on media rights transactions.

Simkins LLP is noted for its expertise in productions, advising clients on financings, loan, security, and inter-party arrangements, as well as the structuring of equity investments. Practice head Jonathan Blair is a film and TV specialist who assists both producers and financiers with a range of media finance issues, including production finance, tax-based incentives, distribution pre-sales, and gap financing. The team is well-versed in aiding international co-productions and advising on its complex financing arrangements. Giao Pacey is a corporate media expert who regularly assists with M&A transactions and equity and debt investments, while Ben Gisbey is a go-to team member for music clients requiring assistance with corporate transactions.

Preiskel & Co LLP is well-known for its work in the independent film sector, assisting feature and documentary producers, rights acquisition companies, film financiers and distribution, and sales companies with media finance issues. The team has advised on a number of international co-production distribution arrangement agreements, rights acquisitions, talent deals, and financings. Peter Dally has well-rounded expertise across financing, production, and exploitation in the film and TV industry, Hannah Leader is both a film producer and media lawyer leading on distribution arrangements and co-productions, and Kami Naghdi is an audio-visual specialist handling rights deals and financings. The aforementioned lawyers all jointly lead the practice.