After nearly five months of strike action, the Writers Guild of America has announced a tentative deal with studio executives, signaling a potential end to the strike.
According to The British Broadcasting Cooperation, the WGA expressed satisfaction with the agreement, citing significant gains and protections for writers.However, WGA members will ultimately decide whether to accept the deal.
The strike, one of the longest in Hollywood’s history, revolves around disputes over compensation and the use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry.
Notable shows like “Stranger Things” and “The Last of Us” were among those affected by the strike, leading to widespread production halts.
The economic toll of the strike is estimated at approximately $5 billion, according to an economist at the Milken Institute, Kevin Klowden.
Alongside the writers, actors are also on strike in a separate dispute.
Key issues in the strike include concerns about AI potentially displacing human writers, disputes over staffing levels, and royalties for streaming content. Writers argue that their residuals from streaming shows are significantly lower than those from traditional broadcast TV shows due to changes in the industry’s distribution model.
Traditionally, writers received additional payments when their programs were rebroadcast on network television.
However, this practice became less relevant with the rise of streaming platforms, prompting adjustments to compensate for lost royalties.
