The agreement is now awaiting approval from the WGA West Board and the WGA East Council. Once approved, the AMPTP will begin negotiations with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), who have been on strike since mid-July. The WGA contract could serve as a template for SAG-AFTRA's own deal, with actors seeking similar improvements in wages, working conditions, health and pension benefits, and transparency from streaming services.
Key takeaways:
- Hollywood writers and studios have finalized a tentative contract that will end a nearly 150-day labor strike. The deal includes a minimum pay increase and significant protections against the use of artificial intelligence.
- The contract also includes a new residual based on viewership for streaming platforms. High budget subscription video on demand series and films that are viewed by 20% or more of the service's domestic subscribers in the first 90 days of release get a bonus.
- The Writers Guild of America members will have until Oct. 9 to cast their votes on the contract.
- Once negotiations are completed with writers, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will need to pivot to negotiations with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. The actors' union is seeking contract updates similar to those requested by the writers.