Writer's Guild Aprroves New Contract

The Writer’s Guild of America has approved the new contract offered by Hollywood studios concerning payment for televisions shows streamed over the Internet.

Of the 4,060 WGA voters, 93.6 percent agreed to the three year deal which allows the writers to get a flat fee of $1200 for programs aired on the Internet during the contract’s first two-years, and then two percent of the profit for the following year. The contract will last until May, 1 2011 where it will be up for renewal.

Although the contract met with a resounding acceptance among the WGA members, many had hoped for a better deal, but realize that for now, this is the best offer they will get.

The 100-day-long writer strike resulted in halted television production and an estimated two-and-a-half billion dollar hit to the LA economy. Many television programs are scheduled to resume by April.

Television is Back in Action

Now that the three month writer’s strike is officially over, what does that mean for your favorite TV shows?

According to Network insiders many hit shows will be back this spring to finish off the season, including: CBS’s CSI and ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives. However, shows that had to break down their sets such as NBC’s Heroes, which requires a lot to rev up for production, most likely will not be back until next fall.

In addition, shows that have not yet found a strong following such as ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money and NBC’s Chuck will probably not be return this spring either. Even next season will be affected by the strike, and Fox has announced that 24 will not be back on the air until January of 2009.

For those shows returning it will likely require at least six weeks for new episodes to air, and whether a show will return or not is on a case-by-case basis. Shows that were close to finishing a script before the writer’s strike began in November will have a head start in broadcasting new episodes.

Networks will continue to unleash new series such as ABC’s “Lipstick Jungle” and Fox has reported that they have at least four new shows to release this spring.

Hollywood Writer's WGA Strike Finally Over?

Hollywood writers may end the three-month-old strike this week after their union approved a tentative labor contract with film and television studios.
Writers Guild of America boards on both coasts asked members to ratify the agreement during the next 10 to 12 days, union leaders said. A separate vote on whether to end the strike is taking place in the next two day, meaning writers may return to work by February 13.
In a nutshell, it has been reported that the writers will get a 3/3.5% increase per year in the minumum pay and get about 2% of the advertising revenue online. Many member felt that the pay increase should have been based more on DVD sales than the internet, but overall, everyone was satisfied with the final agreement.
The strike cost the Los Angeles economy nearly 2 billion dollars, and put the Oscars telecast at 'great risk', at least as much of a risk that a TV show could actually be in.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said today in a statement that "A sensible end to the strike is a win-win for California and the country because the entertainment industry is so important to our economy and so many Californians can now get back to work."
Several television shows will attempt to pick up for the rest of the season, which may be extended through June for some shows. Other network programs, like NBC's Heroes, are finished for this season; fan will have to wait until the fall of '08 to see new episodes.