Why is the Writers Guild of America threatening
a strike?
The writers argue that they have been negatively impacted by
streaming, saying they are working more for less money. They're
seeking better compensation for their work on film, television
and streaming shows, and residual payments that reward writers
when a show becomes a hit.
What does this mean for my favorite TV shows?
Striking writers are prohibited from doing work on any
television or film project. Late-night shows such as "The
Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon," "Last Week Tonight with John
Oliver" and "Saturday Night Live," which use teams of writers to
craft topical jokes, are expected to immediately stop
production. Soap opera production and shows such as "The View"
also are likely to be disrupted.
Streaming services such as Netflix may avoid any initial impact
because they have access to foreign-language shows and
production outside the United States.
If the strike drags on, it could delay the start of the fall
television season. A protracted walkout could result in more
unscripted reality shows and news magazines filling out the
nightly programming schedule.
What do the studios say?
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP),
the trade group negotiating the union contract on behalf of the
major studios and representing the major studios and producers,
says it is seeking a fair and equitable contract. Sources close
to studios say budgets are tight as Wall Street wants to see
profits from multi-billion dollar streaming investments that are
draining balance sheets.
How is artificial intelligence a factor?
With the emergence of artificial intelligence software, the WGA
wants safeguards to prevent studios from using AI to generate
new scripts from writers' previous work. Writers also want to
ensure they are not asked to rewrite draft scripts created by
AI.
When was the last time the writers put pencils down?
The last WGA strike in 2007 and 2008 lasted 100 days. TV
networks broadcast reruns and more reality shows, while the cost
to the California economy was estimated at $2.1 billion,
according to the Milken Institute.
(Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski and Lisa Richwine; Editing by
Sandra Maler)
(Photo: The Writers Guild of America West offices are seen in
Los Angeles as Hollywood film and TV writers, who voted
overwhelmingly in favour of giving union negotiators the power
to call a strike if contract talks with studios break down, can
order a work stoppage after May 1, in Los Angeles, California,
U.S., April 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake)
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