• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, April 16, 2025

Writing jobs in TV are about nearly half as plentiful as the previous year, according to the Writer’s Guild of America. What does that mean to barely profitable streamers -- perhaps in a much tougher economy ahead?

Of the 1,319 total writing jobs lost from the year before (2022-23), 642 were co-executive producers or above. A co-executive producer may do some writing, but that person oversees a lot more -- managing budgeting, scheduling, as well as creative decisions and overseeing day-to-day operations. And yes -- script development.

Major TV/movie studios continue to find ways to trim -- as any business operations might. In a TV world where there is a perception of ever more new original programming we are left to wonder -- is the quality still there?

So-called "peak TV" is a term that defines major original, premium TV shows -- everything from broadcast and cable TV scripted content to shows on premium streaming platforms, both small and large.

This might make more sense -- vis a vis fewer writers -- when it comes to the overall number of scripted TV shows.

In 2024, the U.S. saw a drop in scripted TV shows, with the number of scripted series falling by 24% to 481, according to a study by Ampere Analysis.

In that year, the 2023-24 season also saw 21 scripted series that are part of a franchise on broadcast networks.

Does that mean consumers -- especially streaming consumers -- are getting less for their money?

Well, consider all the focus about "churn" -- the volatility of cancelling and then signing back on to a service only when a new season of their favorite shows returns.

If there are fewer original TV shows, perhaps those churn numbers -- especially in a probable recession, according to many economists -- could rise.

And that’s a story that could write itself.