Hollywood CEOs and Writers Guild of America Return to Bargaining Table for Second Day of Talks
Sherman Oaks, CA – After a 143-day strike that has impacted the entertainment industry, four Hollywood CEOs returned to the bargaining table on Thursday for a second day of talks with the Writers Guild of America (WGA). The CEOs, Bob Iger of Disney, David Zaslav of Warner Bros. Discovery, Donna Langley of NBCUniversal, and Ted Sarandos of Netflix, were still in negotiations late into the evening.
While sources indicated that progress was being made in various areas, significant issues still remained unresolved. It was uncertain if the CEOs would continue the talks for a third day on Friday. However, both parties expressed their commitment to reaching a deal and building on the current momentum.
The studios reportedly made moves in multiple areas during the negotiations in an effort to break the logjam. However, it was unclear if the WGA leaders would consider the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers’ (AMPTP) latest proposals and modifications sufficient to meet the writers’ demands.
One of the key proposals on the table was a success-based residual offered by the AMPTP, which would provide a bonus for streaming shows that reach certain audience thresholds. In contrast, the WGA proposed a viewership-based residual that would increase for every 2.5 million views. The WGA has also demanded a minimum staff size for every TV show, whereas the AMPTP argues that staffing decisions should be determined by the showrunner.
During Wednesday’s session, the two sides also discussed the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The AMPTP previously stated that an agreement was imminent, ensuring that AI usage would not impact writers’ pay or credit. However, the WGA demanded that AI systems should not be allowed to train on writers’ scripts. Resolving this issue could potentially address similar concerns raised by SAG-AFTRA, which has concerns about AI replicating actors’ likenesses.
Despite the optimism that a deal could be reached soon, the WGA poured cold water on rumors suggesting a tentative agreement could be reached on Thursday. Some WGA leaders took to Twitter, suggesting that the rumors were meant to raise hopes and make the WGA appear unreasonable if they reject the latest offer.
The strike, which began on May 2, has significantly affected the entertainment industry. Additionally, SAG-AFTRA has been on strike since July 14, further impacting the production of TV shows and films.
Jennifer Maas and Cynthia Littleton contributed to this story.