As a lover of TV, I thought I would try to bring you up to speed on exactly what is going on, how we got there and when we can get television back. Granted, I’m no expert, so please feel free to discuss below.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA), or the people responsible for putting words in the mouths of all of our entertainers, are on strike for numerous reasons, but the main one lies in the internet (the strike is also about DVD residuals, reality and animation). In a nut shell, writers are not getting paid their royalties for anything that is airing online. If you go online and download an episode of Desperate Housewives on iTunes the writers do not get paid for it. This also rings true for any episodes watched on ABC.com, Hulu.com, CWTV.com and every where else you would watch TV online. Now, on the other hand, the networks are able to sell advertising up against the shows or sponsorships along with them. Therefore, the networks are making money by placing the shows online, but refusing to pay the writers for creating them.
As an example, let’s look at ABC’s Lost, which seems to be the one in the forefront of all examples right now. You can’t watch Lost on reruns on TV after an episode runs, because Lost doesn’t due reruns. In order to watch a previous version of Lost, you have to go to ABC.com or download it illegally. So, the writers of Lost aren’t getting paid for the work they put in. Why is this a big deal? Well, how many times a day do you see shows like Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Friends and Everybody Loves Raymond? These shows are in syndication on multiple networks, many times a day and in many countries across the world. The writers of these shows are getting paid every time one of their shows airs. This is how you’re able to be a writer in Hollywood. Naturally, you’re not going to be writing a series all of the time, especially considering how it seems like series are becoming shorter and shorter. The residuals are how they’re able to pay their bills during the slow times and still do what they love to do! Now, let’s also look at NBC’s The Office, which is the other big example. You may or may not know this, but they have a cast of phenomenal actors/writers. The characters of Ryan (B.J. Novak), Toby (Paul Lieberstein), and Kelly (Mindy Kaling) are three of the main writers for the show. They’re getting hit double, because they’re a part of both sides. Now, when reruns are taken over by all reality shows all the time, under the current contract, the writers won’t be paid. This isn’t good. This is why there is a strike.
I think that about covers what is going on and how we got there, so let’s look at how it affects you or me. For the most part, shows are filming a few episodes ahead right now. For The Office, they have two more episodes taped and have now shut down production. This, of course, isn’t the only one. Desperate Housewives, Late Night Shows, most comedies, and just about everything else under the umbrella has stopped production. This means that in a few weeks we will be back to watching reruns. For the networks this is really bad. Right now we’re in the middle of Sweeps. Sweeps is basically, “programming during the months of November, July, and/or May, in which eagerly anticipated programs are deliberately scheduled in order to boost television ratings.” This is what aligns the networks and sets the advertising rates for the year. November Sweeps is the biggest time of the year, because Fall TV is when the most people are tuning in. If this strike continues, the networks all stand to lose a whole lot of money. This is why the strike right now is such a massive deal.
It should also be noted that we’re not talking just about television writers, but also movie and radio writers. We’re heading into Oscar season, and movies cannot be filmed without scripts or get rewrites, because no one is there to do it. Our film industry is already down tremendously and this could sink it even further. Can you picture Transformers getting the Oscar for best film? I do not want to be forced to watching Bollywood. Please… anything but that. I watched a Bollywood movie for kicks on our way back from the Maldives, and I also most jumped off the plane.
Currently (or last I heard), the WGA is asking for a 2.5% of the distributors gross profit from new media sales and distribution. However, networks have refused it, and countered with online sales following the same structure as DVD sales. The networks have also proposed an idea of “promotional” streaming, including the streaming of a program for profit via advertising or other means, and not pay residuals to the writer or writers whatsoever. This will not be allowed. Here’s a video of The Office writers discussing this concept.
The only way this will be resolved is if the network can come to terms with how to pay residuals on new media. I, personally, believe that the networks will be forced to crumble. For a look into how your favorite shows will be affected check out the Wiki’s. The last strike was in 1988, and it lasted for 5 months. It greatly affected the industry and forced networks to hold off their Fall season until Winter. The networks just can’t afford to allow that to happen, especially considering the big ticket shows (Lost, 24, American Idol, One Tree Hill… wait… that’s probably just me) have yet to air.
Quick update…24 has been canceled for its Winter season.
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I’ve missed you, Msense
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FYI – Lost is showing reruns. They got picked up by FX.
FYI – Lost is showing reruns. They got picked up by FX.
when does that start?
i’ve seen possibly Sci-Fi channel and G4, but no FX or start dates.
when does that start?
i’ve seen possibly Sci-Fi channel and G4, but no FX or start dates.
Holy hell — how is Beau going to live without 24? Where will this madness end?
Holy hell — how is Beau going to live without 24? Where will this madness end?
i know… i’ve been talking him off the ledge all morning.
i know… i’ve been talking him off the ledge all morning.
Ah I think you’re right…it was G4.
Ah I think you’re right…it was G4.
Pingback: TV Movies Soaps » The Writers Guild Strike…
Pingback: TV Movies Soaps » The Writers Guild Strike…
well.. at least TV Movies Soaps (whatever the hell that name means) got the author correctly.
well.. at least TV Movies Soaps (whatever the hell that name means) got the author correctly.
Pingback: www.latestbollywoodgossip.info » The Writers Guild Strike…
Pingback: www.latestbollywoodgossip.info » The Writers Guild Strike…
i did put an intriguing blog post on the writers guild strike…
(i hope they don’t know that i made fun of bollywood…)
i did put an intriguing blog post on the writers guild strike…
(i hope they don’t know that i made fun of bollywood…)
Now see if you were like me and loved Discovery Channel, History Channel, Travel Channel, and the Food Network more than anything, you wouldn’t be quite as affected by this! And hey look, I posted this comment on the right post!
Now see if you were like me and loved Discovery Channel, History Channel, Travel Channel, and the Food Network more than anything, you wouldn’t be quite as affected by this! And hey look, I posted this comment on the right post!
HAHAHA.. i was wondering about that last comment!
you are still affected… pretty greatly, too.
they still have writers for all those channels.
you think cooks don’t have their shows written for them?
HAHAHA.. i was wondering about that last comment!
you are still affected… pretty greatly, too.
they still have writers for all those channels.
you think cooks don’t have their shows written for them?
I’m pretty sure they know how to cook on their own, I would actually like if it if this just kind of shut up and cooked! They can get annoying! :)
I’m pretty sure they know how to cook on their own, I would actually like if it if this just kind of shut up and cooked! They can get annoying! :)
i need a cooking show… cooking with Toph… today we’ll make toast. so, you put the toast in the slit… oh, this could get bad.
i need a cooking show… cooking with Toph… today we’ll make toast. so, you put the toast in the slit… oh, this could get bad.
Maybe instead of picketing the writers can start working on some better movie scripts. So we aren’t stuck with the same trash they have been putting out for the past 8 years…I have no sympathy for the writers…NONE…
Maybe instead of picketing the writers can start working on some better movie scripts. So we aren’t stuck with the same trash they have been putting out for the past 8 years…I have no sympathy for the writers…NONE…
maybe you don’t have sympathy for the writers, but you have got to have sympathy for the rest of hollywood. i mean, it’s a workers town and this strike affects everyone. without shows being made no one can work. it’s not right, and it’s terrible what is happening.
maybe you don’t have sympathy for the writers, but you have got to have sympathy for the rest of hollywood. i mean, it’s a workers town and this strike affects everyone. without shows being made no one can work. it’s not right, and it’s terrible what is happening.
Holy crap! 24 is cancelled this season?? NOOO…..I was so looking forward to 24 bouncing back from the worst season ever :-( ….
Holy crap! 24 is cancelled this season?? NOOO…..I was so looking forward to 24 bouncing back from the worst season ever :-( ….
Why didn’t they get this contract done a long time ago? You would think something this “important” would be taken care of already.
Why didn’t they get this contract done a long time ago? You would think something this “important” would be taken care of already.
Romi- yeah… Looks like everything is being shut down, unfortunately.
King- same with the last NHL, MLB, or NBA strikes, really. One side wants something the other doesnt want to give up. In this case, residuals for online. Neither side wants to back down…
Romi- yeah… Looks like everything is being shut down, unfortunately.
King- same with the last NHL, MLB, or NBA strikes, really. One side wants something the other doesnt want to give up. In this case, residuals for online. Neither side wants to back down…
The writers strike is really bringin me down Toph. I mean, what am I supposed to do if there’s no TV? Go outside? God forbid, read? Looks like I’ll be hittin the sauce pretty hard until the strike is over. Can I have half your liver if mine doesn’t hold up? Cool, thanks.
The writers strike is really bringin me down Toph. I mean, what am I supposed to do if there’s no TV? Go outside? God forbid, read? Looks like I’ll be hittin the sauce pretty hard until the strike is over. Can I have half your liver if mine doesn’t hold up? Cool, thanks.
would you like some sexy videos of me on the toilet to occupy your time?
would you like some sexy videos of me on the toilet to occupy your time?
Can I get serious for a moment?
I think the writers deserves what’s coming to them. When over the past 10 years or so TV & Film production crew have had similar issues forced upon them, such as to no longer be an employee of a studio or channel therefore no longer able to get medical coverage, vaccation pay, sick pay etc and made to go freelance with no option other than to change profession and go elsewhere for stability in their job. Well when this happeend where were the writers? Not on the streets striking with them, not stopping their writing in support. Lets also think about these people now and where their income is coming from as production stops! We are talking about everyone from the directors, lighting, sound and even the poor runners who now have no money to pay rent as they are so poorly paid even at the best of times.
I support fair pay for the work you do but if you didnt speak out when your fellow worker were getting effected by the moves of the big TV & Film corporations then why should they be expecting others to support them now?
Can I get serious for a moment?
I think the writers deserves what’s coming to them. When over the past 10 years or so TV & Film production crew have had similar issues forced upon them, such as to no longer be an employee of a studio or channel therefore no longer able to get medical coverage, vaccation pay, sick pay etc and made to go freelance with no option other than to change profession and go elsewhere for stability in their job. Well when this happeend where were the writers? Not on the streets striking with them, not stopping their writing in support. Lets also think about these people now and where their income is coming from as production stops! We are talking about everyone from the directors, lighting, sound and even the poor runners who now have no money to pay rent as they are so poorly paid even at the best of times.
I support fair pay for the work you do but if you didnt speak out when your fellow worker were getting effected by the moves of the big TV & Film corporations then why should they be expecting others to support them now?
of course you can… we’re here to discuss.
i agree with you to an extent. hollywood is a union town no matter how you slice it. Now, when you’re in union you have clauses that you cannot strike in support of other strikes. For instance, when I was with the chronicle, there was going to be a strike with the printers union. we were told that as members of the media workers guild that we were not allowed to join the strike or we’d be fired. it’s the same with every other union. if a teachers union strikes, the principles union isn’t joining, you know? the reason that the crews are striking with them, is because there is no work without the writers. all work has stopped and everyone is getting fired. what else are they going to do, but support the writers and try and get this settled. having similar issues on the crews has not succumbed to strikes, or work stoppages.
however, it is very important to note that broadway is dark because the stage hands are on strike. this isn’t getting as much attention, but it is in line with what you’re talking about. the stage hands are supported by their union, and are joined by their fellow crews and cast mates.
the actors are especially pushing for this deal, because their union contracts are almost up, and this will greatly affect their negotiations. if this deal doesn’t get done, the we could see an actor strike around the corner on the same issue.
of course you can… we’re here to discuss.
i agree with you to an extent. hollywood is a union town no matter how you slice it. Now, when you’re in union you have clauses that you cannot strike in support of other strikes. For instance, when I was with the chronicle, there was going to be a strike with the printers union. we were told that as members of the media workers guild that we were not allowed to join the strike or we’d be fired. it’s the same with every other union. if a teachers union strikes, the principles union isn’t joining, you know? the reason that the crews are striking with them, is because there is no work without the writers. all work has stopped and everyone is getting fired. what else are they going to do, but support the writers and try and get this settled. having similar issues on the crews has not succumbed to strikes, or work stoppages.
however, it is very important to note that broadway is dark because the stage hands are on strike. this isn’t getting as much attention, but it is in line with what you’re talking about. the stage hands are supported by their union, and are joined by their fellow crews and cast mates.
the actors are especially pushing for this deal, because their union contracts are almost up, and this will greatly affect their negotiations. if this deal doesn’t get done, the we could see an actor strike around the corner on the same issue.
I dont understand! this is getting ridiculous seriously! why dont these shows start to get help from the devoted viewers? they should have viewers write their own scripts and pick the ones that are most interesting. Keep the shows going.
because most of these devoted viewers couldn’t write a script to save their lives. besides that, there are no actors who will act in the shows. the screen actors guild members are not going to cross the picket line. their contracts are almost up, and they’ll need the support of the wga in their negotiations…