What determines a documentary voice-over rate in Flanders? 5 factors

1. The awkward question: do you pay for the voice, or for its reach?

Filmmakers rarely ask out loud: why do you sometimes pay significantly more for a documentary on public television than for the exact same text at a local festival? The answer isn't about the microphone or the actor's vocal cords. It's about distribution.

A commercial voice recording, such as a production with paid airtime on television or streaming services, always has two parts. You pay a fixed basic fee for the voice actor's recording time. Then there's a buy-out for the broadcasting rights. This fee covers the potential audience reach and the period the production will be shown. If it's a non-commercial screening, like one in a local cultural centre or a private film showing, we charge purely per word or per project. So, the distribution channel determines the rate, not the 'documentary' label itself.

2. Script length and word count

A documentary script is a continuous story. It needs a natural reading pace and enough breathing room between scenes.

In the studio, I often see directors underestimate the word count. A voice actor cannot read a three-thousand-word text in fifteen minutes. For a longer production, we factor in the time needed to find the right rhythm. This includes correctly pronouncing difficult technical terms and making any immediate corrections.

The total size of your script affects these elements:

• The number of pure studio hours needed for a flawless recording
• The actor's preparation time to understand the content and the correct emphasis
• The time our technician needs for editing and flawless post-production

3. Telling a story needs different direction than selling a product

A documentary needs a voice that draws listeners in, without being pushy. This requires skill. Recently, during a studio session with our Flemish voice Nele, I noticed how important this nuance is. We recorded a historical testimony about the Westhoek. On the first take, the text still sounded a bit too much like a business explanation. By slowing the pace by ten percent and asking her to speak as if she were sitting next to the viewer on the sofa, everything clicked. This calm and sincerity takes time in the recording studio. But it makes the difference between a distant report and a story that truly resonates.

4. Local versus international broadcast rights

Whether your production is only shown in Flanders or is also bought by foreign broadcasters affects the rights structure. For commercial use, the voice actor's final fee depends on the region where the broadcast takes place.

When a documentary is broadcast, we carefully review these agreements beforehand:

• The medium: Is it linear television, cinema screening, video-on-demand, or web streaming?
• The territory: Is the broadcast limited to Belgium, the Benelux, or worldwide?
• The term: Do the rights remain valid for one year, multiple years, or indefinitely?

At Voices, we work with over 140 selected voices. We have delivered more than 4200 projects. We make sure these rights are clearly documented from the start. This way, you will never face any surprises later on.## 5. Technical finishing and broadcast standards

A voice recording is only ready when the sound technically meets the requirements of broadcasters and distributors. A raw recording from a home studio, without acoustic treatment, will sound dull or hollow when combined with background music and archive sound.

In our recording studio, we deliver audio that meets the current EBU R128 broadcast quality standards. This means we expertly edit breaths, manually remove distracting clicks, and perfectly balance the dynamics with your audio track. This audio finishing is included in your final project price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't you have a fixed price per documentary?

No two documentaries are the same. A local museum production requires a different rights structure than a ten-part series for national television. We consider the actual usage, so you never pay for rights you don't need.

Can I get a binding quote for my project beforehand?

Certainly. Once we know your script, the estimated word count, and your planned distribution channel, we will provide a transparent, tailored quote. Our clear agreements upfront are partly why we have an average customer score of 4.96 out of 5 from 341 reviews.

Your story deserves the right narrator

Are you editing a new project? Do you want to discuss the right tone and exact costs? Take a look at the options for a documentary voice-over or contact me directly in the studio. I'm happy to help you think through the ideal voice and a clear budget for your production.