The agreement also includes increased contributions to pensions and health funds, and extended healthcare for the unit for the next month due to the strike. The WGA was unable to secure residuals for streaming but did secure viewership-based streaming bonuses. The proposed deal, which will now be voted on by the unit, is worth $233 million, a significant increase from the AMPTP's initial offer of $86 million. The WGA views the deal as a success that will secure the future of screenwriting and television writing.
Key takeaways:
- The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached an agreement after nearly 150 days of strike, with the WGA releasing a Memorandum of Agreement outlining the results of the strike.
- The agreement includes restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in writing, including that AI cannot write or rewrite literary material, and that writers have the choice to use AI in their projects, but cannot be required to do so by the company.
- The new agreement also guarantees minimum salaries for writers' rooms and increases the minimum salary for writers retained by a show after pre-development, and increases pensions and health fund contributions.
- The WGA was unable to secure residuals for streaming, but did secure viewership-based streaming bonuses and data transparency from companies regarding streaming numbers.