Hollywood studios and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are entering a pivotal week of negotiations, with the potential of a prolonged strike looming large. The ongoing dispute, which began in mid-July, has seen both sides grappling with key issues, primarily concerning streaming revenue-sharing plans.
Key Takeaways:
- Hollywood studios are giving negotiations with SAG-AFTRA one more week before potentially halting for the year.
- If no agreement is reached soon, new productions may not start until 2024.
- The fall TV season could be lost, with new movies postponed until next summer.
- Major entertainment conglomerate CEOs are actively involved in the negotiations.
- A significant point of contention is SAG-AFTRA’s proposed streaming revenue-sharing plan.
A Race Against Time
According to reports, the stakes are high as studios believe that if a deal isn’t struck within the next week, no new production will commence before 2024. This would mean the fall television season would be lost, and audiences would have to wait until next summer for new movie releases. An early November deadline is seen as the last chance to salvage the ability to put television or movies into production this year.
The Core of the Dispute
The negotiations, which restarted this week, have been marked by disagreements over SAG-AFTRA’s proposed streaming revenue-sharing plan. The guild’s proposal would average about 57 cents per streaming subscriber, with the revenue being paid to the guild and then distributed to performers. However, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing the studios, has characterized this as a “levy” on streaming services. The AMPTP is advocating for a viewership bonus model, similar to what was agreed upon with the Writers Guild of America.
High-Level Involvement
Highlighting the importance of these negotiations, CEOs from major entertainment conglomerates, including Disney’s Bob Iger, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav, and NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley, are set to meet with SAG-AFTRA representatives. The aim is to find common ground and reach a contract that satisfies both parties.
A History of Tensions
This isn’t the first time the entertainment industry has faced such challenges. The dynamics of production and the evolving nature of content consumption, especially with the rise of streaming platforms, have often led to disagreements between studios and guilds. The current dispute underscores the need for a model that fairly compensates actors and performers in the age of digital streaming.
Looking Ahead
As the week progresses, many in the industry and audiences worldwide will be watching closely. The outcome of these negotiations will not only impact current productions but could also set precedents for future agreements in the rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
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