• by Wayne Friedman , September 25, 2023

Hollywood entertainment writers (represented by the Writers Guild of America) and major legacy TV/movie companies (Alliance of Motion Picture and TV Producers) have reached a tentative deal, which could seemingly end the writers' nearly five-month-long strike.

In a memo to its members on Sunday night, the WGA negotiating committee said: “This deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.” 

The committee did not provide specific details.

The WGA went on strike in May, demanding higher residuals -- especially for content that lands on streaming platforms, which can pay writers (and actors) pennies on the dollars. 

The writers’ group also demand protections from AI (artificial intelligence) technologies which could, in theory, replace significant levels of work writers perform for movies and TV shows.

Even if the deal is approved by the members, solving the disruption to the business has a long way to go. 

Since July, actors through their union, SAG-AFTRA, have also been on strike -- with little movement in their negotiations. 

All this has caused major disruption for TV networks, streaming platforms, and theatrical movie theaters when it comes to TV and movie content.

For TV, there has been a major impact on the new TV season, which begins this week. TV networks have had to scramble to schedule lower-profile unscripted TV shows and international TV content, all to replace scripted TV shows airing in major time periods.

In turn, the strikes have forced major upfront TV network advertising brands to make major changes to their media plans -- which have included some brands buying more highly rated and high-priced sports TV properties like the NFL, Major League Baseball, and other sports.