Warner Bros. Television Group Suspends Overall Deals Amid WGA Strike

Warner Bros. Television Group has suspended a number of overall deals for its top creatives, including J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot, Greg Berlanti, Chuck Lorre, Bill Lawrence, John Wells, and Mindy Kaling, as the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike continues. According to sources, the suspensions are similar to those that occurred with lower-level writer deals during the first month of the strike in May. Although these producers were not working as writers, they were contractually obligated to continue working in their capacity as producers. All six producers have multiple shows and development projects at the studio. The deals have been suspended rather than outright canceled, as the studio will need its top producers once the strike concludes to ramp up writing and producing immediately. The deal suspensions come as studios and streamers that make up the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are in cost-cutting mode due to the ongoing strike. Layoffs have already begun across the entertainment industry, and rumors of upcoming layoffs at NBCUniversal have also emerged.