Finance Assets arranges hire purchase and leasing for UK businesses buying TV and video cameras, recording studio equipment, sound and vision editing suites, broadcast and streaming systems, production lighting and LED screens.
Audio-visual and broadcast equipment finance spreads the cost over 2 to 5 years, so you can take on bigger productions, grow a rental fleet or refit a studio without tying up working capital. We are a broker, not a lender, so we compare quotes from our lender panel rather than offering one bank’s product.
Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed October 2026.
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The short version
- Audio-visual and broadcast equipment finance usually runs over 2 to 5 years.
- Cameras and computers change quickly, so they usually go on shorter terms. Consoles, lenses and lighting hold their value and can go longer.
- Kit that travels needs all-risks insurance, and lenders may need to know if it is used abroad.
- Software and installation can usually be included alongside the equipment, up to a limit.
- Finance Assets arranges this finance for limited companies and LLPs, and for sole traders and partnerships on agreements over £25,000.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Equipment covered | Cameras and lenses, recording studio equipment, editing suites, broadcast and streaming systems, production lighting and LED screens |
| Terms | Usually 2 to 5 years, depending on how quickly the equipment dates |
| Paid upfront | Leases: usually 1 to 3 rentals in advance. Hire purchase: often a 10% deposit plus VAT |
| New or used | New and used. Used cinema lenses, consoles and lighting from established dealers are often funded |
| Extra costs | Software, installation, acoustic treatment and cabling can often be partly included |
| Who we help | Limited companies and LLPs, plus sole traders and partnerships on business agreements over £25,000 |
Audio-visual and broadcast equipment we finance
Each main type of equipment is covered in its own section below. A whole studio or production package can go on one agreement.
| Equipment | Typical buyers | Typical term |
|---|---|---|
| TV and video cameras | Production companies, rental houses and corporate video teams | 2 to 4 years (lenses longer) |
| Recording studio equipment | Music and voiceover studios, podcast studios and post houses | 3 to 5 years |
| Sound and vision editing | Post-production houses, agencies and in-house video teams | 2 to 4 years |
| Broadcast and streaming | Broadcasters, outside broadcast firms, churches and venues | 3 to 5 years |
| Lighting and LED screens | Lighting hire firms, event companies and venues | 3 to 5 years |
TV and video camera finance
Cameras are usually the most expensive single item in a production business, and they date fastest.
- What is covered. Cinema and broadcast cameras, camcorders, lenses, monitors, wireless video, gimbals, drones and camera support.
- Bodies and lenses. Camera bodies are often replaced every few years, while good lenses can last much longer. Some businesses fund lenses on a longer term than the bodies.
- Used kit. Used cinema lenses and cameras from established dealers can be funded, because they resell well.
- Insurance. Camera kit travels and is a theft target. Lenders expect all-risks cover, often noting their interest, and may need to be told if kit goes abroad.
We regularly see cameras and lenses from Sony, Canon, ARRI, RED, Blackmagic Design and Panasonic.
Recording studio equipment finance
Recording studios can finance the consoles, microphones and monitoring that set them apart.
- What is covered. Mixing consoles and control surfaces, microphones, preamps, outboard equipment, audio interfaces, studio monitors and recording computers.
- Studio build. Acoustic treatment and wiring can sometimes be partly included alongside the equipment. Building work to the room itself usually is not.
- Value. Quality consoles, microphones and outboard often hold their value well, which helps on used equipment and longer terms.
- Podcast and voiceover studios. Smaller set-ups can be funded together with cameras and lighting for video podcasts.
We regularly see studio equipment from Solid State Logic, Neve, Avid, Neumann, Universal Audio and Genelec.
Sound and vision editing equipment finance
Editing suites combine powerful computers, accurate monitoring and fast storage, and need regular upgrading.
- What is covered. Edit workstations, colour grading panels, reference monitors, audio post-production and dubbing equipment, shared storage and backup.
- Software. Perpetual licences bought with the hardware can usually be included. Monthly subscriptions are normally paid separately.
- Shorter terms. Computers in editing suites date quickly, so 2 to 3 year terms are common, matched to how often you upgrade.
For shared storage, servers and backup on their own, see our IT equipment finance guide.
Broadcast and streaming system finance
Broadcast and streaming systems are used by TV and radio stations, outside broadcast firms, sports clubs, churches, venues and corporate studios.
- What is covered. Vision mixers and switchers, routers, replay systems, graphics systems, encoders, radio studio desks, intercoms and streaming equipment.
- Studio and gallery refits. A full gallery or radio studio refit, including installation and cabling, can be funded as one project.
- Outside broadcast. Equipment for OB trucks and flight cases can be funded, and the vehicle can go on a separate agreement. See our haulage finance guide for trucks.
Production lighting and LED screen finance
Lighting and LED screens are often owned by hire companies and venues, and earn their keep over many years.
- What is covered. LED and moving-head lighting, lighting desks, dimmers, rigging, LED video walls, projectors and media servers.
- Virtual production. LED volumes, camera tracking and media servers for virtual production stages can be funded as one project.
- Venues. Theatres, concert venues and conference centres can fund lighting, sound and screen upgrades together.
We regularly see lighting and screens from ARRI, Aputure, Litepanels, ROE Visual and Absen.
Finance for kit rental companies
Camera, audio, lighting and screen hire companies earn directly from their kit, which lenders understand well.
- Batch funding. New stock can be added in batches, with serial numbers listed on each agreement.
- Utilisation. Booking records showing how often kit goes out help lenders see how new stock will pay for itself.
- Refinancing. Kit you already own outright can sometimes be refinanced to release cash for new stock.
Leasing and hire purchase compared
Hire purchase suits kit you will keep and hire out. Leasing suits computers and cameras you will upgrade on a cycle. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hire purchase | You pay a deposit and fixed monthly payments, and own the equipment after the final payment and any option fee | Lenses, consoles, lighting and rental stock |
| Finance lease | You rent the equipment for most of its working life. At the end you extend at a low rent, or sell it for the lender and keep most of the proceeds | Studio and gallery refits, and broadcast systems |
| Operating lease | You rent the equipment for part of its life, then hand it back or upgrade | Editing computers and cameras replaced on a cycle |
Hire purchase for audio-visual equipment
You pay a deposit, usually 10% plus the VAT, then fixed monthly payments, and ownership passes to you after the final payment and a small option-to-purchase fee. As the owner for tax purposes, the business may be able to claim capital allowances on the equipment.
Finance lease for audio-visual equipment
A finance lease keeps the upfront cost to a few rentals, and VAT is spread across the rentals rather than paid at the start. The lender owns the equipment throughout. At the end of the main term you can keep using it for a low secondary rent, or sell it on the lender’s behalf and receive most of the sale proceeds.
Operating lease for audio-visual equipment
An operating lease sets the rentals against what the equipment is expected to be worth at the end of the term, so the lender carries the resale risk. It suits cameras and editing computers you plan to replace on a set cycle. At the end you hand them back, extend the lease or upgrade.
Audio-visual equipment finance costs: a worked example
An £80,000 camera package, with two cinema cameras, a lens set, monitors and wireless video, costs about £2,290 a month on a 3-year hire purchase, or about £1,792 a month over 4 years.
| Item | 3 years | 4 years |
|---|---|---|
| Price (excl. VAT) | £80,000 | £80,000 |
| Deposit (10%) | £8,000 | £8,000 |
| VAT paid upfront | £16,000 | £16,000 |
| Monthly payment | £2,289.58 | £1,791.72 |
| Total interest | £10,425 | £14,003 |
The longer term lowers the monthly payment by about £498 but adds around £3,578 of interest. For a rental company, compare the payment with the hire income the package brings in each month.
Illustration calculated in October 2026, assuming an interest rate of 9% a year. It is not a quote. Your rate depends on your trading history, credit profile and the equipment.
VAT and tax on audio-visual equipment finance
| Option | VAT | Usual tax treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Hire purchase | Paid on the full price at the start, reclaimable if you are VAT registered | You may be able to claim capital allowances, such as the Annual Investment Allowance, and the interest is deductible |
| Finance lease | Added to each rental | Rentals are usually deductible |
| Operating lease | Added to each rental | Rentals are usually deductible |
Productions claiming creative industry tax reliefs should check with their accountant how financed equipment is treated in their claim.
What lenders ask for
Most audio-visual and broadcast equipment finance applications need the following.
- Your last 2 years of filed accounts, or management accounts and a forecast if you are newer
- Your last 3 to 6 months of business bank statements
- A quote or invoice listing each item with serial numbers where possible
- Details of upcoming contracts, commissions or hire bookings, especially if income comes project by project
- Photo ID and address history for each director, member or partner
Related guides
- Asset finance for film production companies
- Asset finance for television and radio broadcasters
- Asset finance for sports and event venues, for big screens and PA
- Print and imaging equipment finance, including photography studio equipment
- IT equipment finance, for servers and shared storage
- Office furniture and fit-out finance
- All sectors we finance
- Types of asset finance
Who we can help
We arrange audio-visual and broadcast equipment finance for UK limited companies and LLPs, and for sole traders and partnerships on agreements over £25,000 that are for business purposes. We are not authorised by the FCA, so we cannot arrange agreements of £25,000 or less for sole traders or partnerships of two or three partners, or finance for personal use.
Audio-visual equipment finance FAQs
Can I finance a cinema camera package?
Yes. Cameras, lenses, monitors and accessories can go on one agreement, new or used from established dealers. Bodies usually go on shorter terms than lenses because they date faster.
How much does it cost to finance camera equipment?
It depends on the kit, the term and your business. As an illustration, an £80,000 camera package costs about £2,290 a month over 3 years on hire purchase at 9%, after a 10% deposit and the VAT paid upfront, or about £1,792 a month over 4 years.
Can I finance a recording studio fit-out?
The equipment, such as the console, microphones, monitors and computers, can be funded. Acoustic treatment and wiring can sometimes be partly included, but building work to the room usually is not.
Can financed kit be taken abroad on shoots?
Usually, yes, but tell the lender and make sure your insurance covers overseas use. Some lenders need permission before equipment leaves the UK for long periods.
Can a production company with project-based income get finance?
Yes. Lenders look at your track record and upcoming work. Accounts, bank statements and details of commissions or contracts help show that payments are affordable between projects.
Can a hire company finance new stock?
Yes. Rental companies can add stock in batches, and booking records showing utilisation help. Kit you already own can sometimes be refinanced to release cash for new stock.
Get an audio-visual equipment finance quote
Tell us what you want to finance
Send us the equipment, the price and a few details about your business. We will come back with the options that are realistic and what they are likely to cost.
About the author
Marcus Wright is the owner and founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, which trades as Finance Assets. He has worked in financial services since 2008, beginning his career at Santander, and has been a commercial finance broker since March 2019.
He founded Bolton Business Finance in 2020 to give businesses access to the whole lending market rather than one bank’s own product range. The firm is a member of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers and works with a panel of 135+ lenders. Call 0161 546 9128.
Finance Assets is a trading name of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, an independent commercial finance brokerage, not a lender. We are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and can only complete non-regulated introductions. All lending is for business purposes only. Registered address: Westgate House, 1 Westgate Avenue, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 4RF. Company number 12495909.