In a major development, the long-standing conflict between writers and major studios has finally come to an end. The Writers’ Guild of America (WGA), which represents creative professionals across various media like film, TV, radio, and online content, has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP). As this breakthrough news emerged, excited union members took to social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), to celebrate their victory.
The strike, which lasted for a grueling 146 days, is now on the verge of concluding, allowing writers to get back to their writing desks and continue their storytelling work. This dispute began on May 2 when the WGA’s board of directors unanimously decided to take action after six weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with industry giants like Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount, and Sony. Impressively, this strike now ranks as the third-longest in the history of the union, surpassing the previous record of 100 days set in 2007.
Related: Hollywood Studios and Writers Are Close to Ending Strike, Deal Expected Soon
The impact of the strike reverberated throughout the entertainment world, causing disruptions in the production of numerous TV shows and films. Beloved series like the final season of “Stranger Things” faced delays, as did highly anticipated movies like the sequel to “Freaky Friday,” Mahershala Ali’s “Blade,” and Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man installment.
The strike also significantly affected talk shows. Programs like “The Drew Barrymore Show,” “Real Time With Bill Maher,” “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” and “The Talk” postponed their air dates amid criticism and protests for trying to resume production without WGA writers. In contrast, some shows like “The View” continued to produce episodes without their union members.
Notably, in July, the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) joined the WGA on the picket lines, marking the first simultaneous strike between the two guilds since 1960. This joint strike effectively brought Hollywood to a halt and led Disney to delay several Marvel films, including a live-action adaptation of “Moana,” an untitled Star Wars project, and all upcoming Avatar sequels. SAG-AFTRA, however, remains on strike.
Both guilds had come together in their demands for better compensation and protections against the use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry. These demands reflect the industry’s ongoing shift away from traditional theater releases and television in favor of streaming platforms.
