The Writers’ Deal With Studios Revealed: Streaming Data, Residuals, AI Protection & More-TGN

Summary

• After almost five months of negotiations, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has reached a tentative agreement with studios and streamers, addressing concerns about fair wages, residual compensation, and the use of AI in writing.

• The new three-year contract includes restrictions on the use of AI in writing, a viewer-based streaming residual bonus, and staffing minimums in writers’ rooms to protect against the use of AI. Studios will also be required to disclose whether AI-generated material was used in the writing process.

• The contract will go to a vote for ratification between October 2 and October 9.

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The Writers Guild of America’s tentative deal with the studios has been revealed. The WGA originally went on strike on May 2, fighting for fair wages, residual compensation, and the use of AI. After nearly five months of negotiations with studios, the WGA has finally reached a tentative agreement with studios and streamers. The actors’ guild, SAG-AFTRA, still remains on strike.

With the WGA strike ending after 148 days, The Hollywood Reporter reveals the details of this tentative strike resolution. The three-year contract with studios and streamers includes restrictions on the use of AI in writing, a viewer-based streaming residual bonus, and staffing minimums in writers’ rooms. For AI, the WGA now has productions against AI being used as source material, and studios will be required to disclose whether they are giving writers AI-generated material during the writing process. At a baseline, the WGA also will receive an increase in minimum pay.

The WGA Deal Details Explained

The WGA was also able to address issues of streaming residuals, one of the most contentious parts of the strike negotiations. The new system awards writers whose shows receive high viewing counts on streaming. As the contract stipulates, writers will be rewarded for programs that “are viewed by 20% or more of the service’s domestic subscribers in the first 90 days of release, or in the first 90 days in any subsequent exhibition year.” The streaming-related deal also requires that studios be upfront about their viewing numbers for shows, which have historically been kept under wraps by the likes of Netflix and other streaming giants.

Related: What Happened The Last Time SAG & WGA Went On Strike Together 63 Years Ago

The WGA also had requested a six-person minimum staff count for a writers’ room, adding a person for every two episodes after that until reaching a maximum of 12. This request was a protective measure against studios’ trying to phase out writers with the use of AI. The WGA did not receive their full ask in this regard, but the studios did agree to a three-staff minimum for any shows with 20-week or longer development rooms.

A vote to ratify this contract will take place between October 2 and October 9. While the WGA strike resolution is still tentative, things are looking up for the guild. Facing paltry residual payments and stubborn studios, there were months when the strike’s end seemed like a distant wish. Having reached a compromise, the WGA can soon pick up their pencils once more and continue work on productions that have been on pause for the strike.

Source: THR