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The changing landscape of TV and film writing: A deep dive into recent trends
A year of decline for TV and film writers
The past year has been a tumultuous one for TV and film writers, marked by significant declines in earnings and employment. The end of the “Peak TV” era, coupled with a 148-day strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA), has led to a dramatic shift in the industry. Writer earnings fell by a staggering 32%, amounting to a loss of $603 million, bringing the total down to $1.29 billion in 2023. When adjusted for inflation, this is the lowest level since the writers’ strike of 2007-08.
Employment hits a low
Employment in the industry also took a hit, with a 19.5% decrease, leaving only 5,501 working writers—the lowest number since 2014. This decline is particularly concerning given that writer employment had reached an all-time high just before the strike, with 6,835 writers reporting income in 2022.
The double strike impact
In a historic move, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA initiated the first ”double strike” since 1960, effectively shutting down most scripted production for half the year. The strikes were aimed at securing higher wages and protections against the encroachment of artificial intelligence in the industry. Concurrently, the TV business contracted by 14%, dropping from 600 shows in 2022 to 516 in 2023.
The WGA’s annual report
The Writers Guild of America West released its annual report, highlighting the steep declines in employment and earnings. The report attributes these declines to both the industry’s contraction and the companies’ refusal to negotiate a fair deal, which led to the five-month strike. The union emphasized that writers across all fields reported declines in employment and earnings during this turbulent period.
Residuals: A silver lining
Despite the overall decline in earnings, writers saw a 3.5% increase in residuals, totaling $598.5 million in 2023. With writers on the picket lines for five months, residuals made up a greater share of their total income than usual, accounting for 32% of overall writer compensation. This shift reflects the rapid transition to streaming platforms, which represented a majority of all residuals for the first time in 2022 and again in 2023.
The rise of streaming residuals
More than 80% of streaming residuals come from films and TV shows originally made for theatrical, broadcast, or cable. However, residuals from made-for-streaming shows are increasing rapidly, jumping to $57.4 million in 2023—a 46% gain. This increase is attributed to both the higher volume of projects and improved terms under the 2020 contract.
The aftermath of the strike
The WGA strike resulted in several key victories for writers, including scale wage increases of 5%, 4%, and 3.5% over the three-year term of the contract. Other gains included script fees for TV staff writers, full pension and health contributions for writing teams, and a guaranteed second draft for feature writers. The union estimated the value of the deal at $233 million per year, significantly higher than the studios’ final pre-strike offer.
The future of TV and film writing
The industry was already showing signs of contraction before the strikes, and the post-strike recovery has been sluggish. Reality TV production has collapsed, and scripted production has plateaued below pre-strike levels. However, the new contract includes measures to ensure minimum staff sizes for TV shows not written by a solo writer and protections against AI-written material reducing writers’ pay or credit. Additionally, the union secured a 50% residual bonus for the most-watched made-for-streaming TV shows.
Personal reflections for enthusiasts
For cinema and TV series enthusiasts, these changes signal a significant shift in the industry. The decline in the number of shows and the impact of the strike may lead to fewer new releases in the short term. However, the increased focus on streaming platforms and the protections secured by the WGA could result in higher-quality content in the long run. As viewers, we may need to adjust our expectations and be patient as the industry navigates these changes.
For those interested in exploring the latest trailers and information about upcoming movies and TV series, you can check out the following links:
A new era for music
The shift to streaming is not limited to TV and film; the music industry has also seen significant changes. For music enthusiasts, the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify has made it easier than ever to discover new artists and albums. Here are some links to explore the latest music:
Final thoughts
The past year has been a challenging one for TV and film writers, but it has also brought about important changes that could shape the future of the industry. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact the content we consume and the way we engage with it. For now, let’s continue to support the writers and creators who bring our favorite stories to life.
