Cooperative Structure
Means TV is the first worker-owned streaming service to exist. Therefore we're also the
first to create a worker-owned structure
for such a project.
It took a year working with cooperative organizations, attorneys and
filmmakers, YouTube creators and others
to develop a structure that was
functional and democratic.
What's a Worker Cooperative?
A worker cooperative is a business that's owned and self-managed by its
workers. Decisions about the business are made democratically and any
profits earned by the business are distributed to it's member owners.
We are proud members of the
U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives
and strive to follow the
cooperative principles.
The Means TV Cooperative core mission is to:
-
Create a long-standing, centralized, worker-owned media infrastructure
that reflects and empowers the working class
-
Create and distribute worker-owned, anti-capitalist entertainment free
from malicious advertisers and extractive financing
-
Practice economic, cultural, racial, religious, and gender inclusivity
in the operations of the cooperative and in the admission of
worker-owners to the Cooperative
How is Means TV Structured?
Means TV has three membership tiers in order to better represent the interests of our diverse member owners. All membership
tiers have economic and democratic rights in the cooperative. This means voting for or running to serve as representation on the Board of Directors. Members also have the ability to vote on measures that impact
how the Cooperative runs and operates. At the end of the year any profits the cooperative earns is distributed amongst the members of the cooperative based on their
respective membership and contribution.
Below are the guaranteed minimums allocated to each member class per the most recent bylaws...
Employee Members
≥ 30% of the cooperative's end of year profit
This category is for full-time employees at Means TV.
Contractor Members
≥ 5% of the cooperative's end of year profit
This class is composed of independent contractors who the cooperative works with frequently or who have contributed significant value through their work to the co-op.
Royalty Members
≥ 20% of the cooperative's end of year profit
This category encompasses filmmakers, certain film distributors, YouTube Creators, Podcasters, and other prominent on-camera talent.
