Broadcast & Live Entertainment Finance
Flexible finance for equipment most lenders don’t understand
Cameras, lenses, OB vehicles and specialist lighting, sound and AV equipment are often deemed too niche or high risk by big banks – which is why so many funding deals are overpriced, over-secured or rejected altogether. We’ve been working with creatives and specialist lenders since 1998, giving you access to terms you’re unlikely to find elsewhere.
How creative finance could help your business
Hire Purchase
When a piece of equipment is regularly used in broadcasts, conferences or festivals, renting can get expensive fast. Hire Purchase (HP) finance lets you secure kit now, spread the cost via instalments and own the asset outright at the end. It suits businesses that want predictability over equipment expected to stay in use for many years.
- Fixed repayments for easier forecasting
- May be able to claim capital allowances benefits, reducing taxable profits
- VAT paid upfront and can be claimed back immediately
- Asset sits on the balance sheet
- Greater flexibility to upgrade equipment
Finance Lease
Not every contract calls for the same equipment – buying assets outright can be limiting. Finance Lease gives you full use of the kit for a defined period, with fixed costs and no long-term ownership commitment. It’s suited to creative businesses where tech, specifications and working environments can change quickly.
- Fixed rentals over the lease term
- VAT spread monthly and reclaimable
- Lease payments may be offset against tax (professional advice should be sought)
- No capital tied up in depreciating assets
- Options to return, extend or sell the equipment at the end of the agreement
Asset Refinance
Asset Refinance lets you release equity from your equipment, whether you’re funding a new project, need better cash flow during quieter months or want to restructure an existing finance agreement to suit the business today.
- Unlock value from equipment already paid for
- Avoid selling essential assets to free up cash
- Correct funding that no longer matches how you operate
- Bridge short-term cash flow gaps
- Preserve cash for day-to-day operations, wages, suppliers or growth activity
Sale & Hire Purchase Back
When equipment has been paid for outright, Sale & Hire Purchase Back financing can be used within the first 90 days of purchase to spread the cost more evenly over time and inject cash back into your business.
- Fixed repayment term
- Creates financial flexibility compared with outright cost
- Turns sunk cost into working capital
- Preserves asset ownership in the long-term
- Avoid the need to renegotiate overdrafts or traditional loans
How to apply
Whether you’re a growing start-up or listed PLC, our three-step process gives you clarity, avoids wasted time on poorly structured deals and finds the best finance for your goals. Most clients receive a funding decision within 24-48 hours.
Tell us about your business and what you’re trying to achieve.
We’ll arrange a short conversation to discuss what you’re looking to fund, timings and your commercial goals. We’ll also ask for a few documents such as supplier quote/s, latest financials, most recent bank statements and ID to start the process.
Get matched to lender(s).
We identify the best lenders to provide your finance, whether it’s one or a strategic syndicate, and you’ll typically receive the recommended structure and terms within 1-2 days. We’re on hand to answer any questions and refine the approach.
Receive your offer.
We’ll submit your application and handle everything required for approval, from lender questions to additional document submission. We’ll keep you updated throughout and, once approved, will present your offer and assist with the final paperwork so funds can be released.
What we finance
Camera equipment
Cinema cameras
Stills cameras
Lenses
Tripods
Stedicam rig
Post production
Edit suites
Grading suites
Monitors
Lighting
Moving lights
Lighting desks
Film & TV lighting
Generators
Audio
Speakers
Amps
Mixing consoles
Radio comms
Rigging
Staging
Trussing
Motors
Audio visual
Virtual production
LED videowall
Projectors
Video conferencing
Studios
TV studios
Recording studios
Rehearsal studios
Playout facilities
Vehicles
Outside broadcast trucks
Artiste trailers
Vans
Trucks
Cars
Computers
Storage
Media servers
Licences
Office PCs
Office equipment
Furniture
Air-conditioning
Building works
Telephony
Alarm systems
Why choose Catalyst?
We’ve spent years educating lenders on broadcast and live entertainment – giving you access to funding that would otherwise be slow or impossible to secure
We don’t work standard hours – your next production won’t be held up by rigid credit processes or slow responses
We fund multi-currency transactions – so you’re not forced to compromise on supplier, scope or timing
Increase your business’s funding potential – with 40+ lenders on our panel, we widen your funding options beyond big bank risk appetites
We manage the process end-to-end – so you can focus on your day job
We attend industry trade and manufacturing shows –to ensure your emerging tech isn’t misunderstood by lender credit teams
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FAQs
After many years working with broadcast, live entertainment and AV businesses, our specialist team knows how to justify asset value and structure deals to suit creatives. Here are some of the most common questions we receive pre-funding.
