How The 2023 Writers Strike Will Affect Your Favorite Shows.

How the 2023 Writers Strike Will Affect Your Favorite Shows

If you are a fan of TV shows like Saturday Night Live, Cobra Kai, or Good Omens, you might be disappointed to learn that they are among the many shows that have been affected by the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. The strike, which began on May 2, 2023, after months of failed negotiations between the writers union and the major studios, has brought the production of many scripted and unscripted programs to a halt. In this blog post, we will explain what the strike is about, why it matters, and how it will impact the future of television.

What is the strike about?

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is a labor union that represents more than 20,000 writers who work in film, television, and digital media. The WGA negotiates contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), a trade association that represents the major studios and networks that hire writers. Every three years, the WGA and the AMPTP renew their collective bargaining agreement, which sets the minimum terms and conditions for writers' employment, such as wages, residuals, health benefits, pensions, and creative rights.

The current dispute between the WGA and the AMPTP stems from several issues that have arisen in the rapidly changing landscape of the entertainment industry. One of the main issues is the compensation for writers in the streaming era. As more viewers shift from traditional broadcast and cable TV to streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, and HBO Max, writers argue that they are not paid fairly for their work. They claim that streaming services pay lower upfront fees and residuals than traditional outlets, and that they often impose shorter seasons and longer exclusivity deals that limit writers' ability to work on multiple projects.

Another issue is the practice of "mini rooms", which refers to hiring a small number of writers for a short period of time to develop a show or a season. Writers say that this practice reduces their income and job security, as they are paid less per episode and have fewer opportunities to find other work. They also say that mini rooms undermine their creative input and collaboration, as they have less time to develop stories and characters.

A third issue is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create or assist in writing scripts. Writers fear that AI could replace human writers or lower their value in the industry. They demand safeguards and protections against the misuse or abuse of AI by studios and networks.

Why does it matter?

The strike matters because it affects not only writers, but also actors, directors, producers, crew members, and other workers who depend on the entertainment industry for their livelihoods. According to some estimates, the strike could cost the Los Angeles economy up to $2 billion per month in lost wages and spending. The strike also matters because it affects millions of viewers who enjoy watching TV shows and movies. The strike could disrupt the release schedules of many popular shows and movies, delay the production of new content, or force some shows to end prematurely or be canceled altogether.

How will it affect your favorite shows?

The impact of the strike on your favorite shows depends on several factors, such as when they were written, when they were filmed, when they were scheduled to air, and how long the strike lasts. Some shows that have already completed their writing and filming before the strike began will not be affected at all. For example, Good Omens Season 2 is confirmed to launch this summer as planned. Other shows that were in the middle of writing or filming when the strike began will have to stop production until the strike is resolved. For example, Cobra Kai Season 6 has halted its writing process after only six weeks into it. Some shows that were supposed to start writing or filming soon will have to postpone their production indefinitely. For example, Yellowjackets Season 3 has stopped writing after only one day of work.

The most immediate impact of the strike will be felt by late-night talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Daily Show, and Saturday Night Live, which rely on daily or weekly scripts from their writers. These shows will go dark this week and until further notice. Other shows that write while they air will also be affected by the strike. For example, Abbott Elementary Season 3 will not come out on time if the strike goes on for a long time.