Cooperative Structure

Means TV is the first worker-owned streaming service to exist and because of that, we’re the first to create a worker-owned structure for such a company meant to compete in the current digital media landscape.

It took a year working with cooperative organizations, attorneys and content creators 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 the profits distributed fairly.

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 the admission of worker-owners to the Cooperative

How is Means TV Structured?

The Means TV Cooperative has three membership tiers. All membership tiers have representation on the Board of Directors and have a say in how the Cooperative runs and operates. At the end of year all profits are distributed amongst the members of the cooperative based on their respective ownership share.

Employee Members

70% of the cooperative’s end of year profit

This category is for full-time employees at Means TV. In addition to equity, all Employee Members can serve on the Board of Directors and have full voting rights.

Contractor Members

20% of the cooperative’s end of year profit

This is a secondary category for those the cooperative works with on frequent and large-scale projects, but are not involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. In addition to equity, all Contractor Members can serve on the Board of Directors and have full voting rights.

Royalty Members

10% of the cooperative’s end of year profit

This category is for filmmakers, distributors, and certain crew on original productions. It acts as a form of royalties for people who have contributed significant creative works or entertainment properties. In addition to equity, Royalty Members can serve on the Board of Directors and have full voting rights.

Cooperative Structure

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