Biden urges 'fair deal' for striking Hollywood writers

Biden urges 'fair deal' for striking Hollywood writers

Writers march on the fourth day of the strike by the Writers Guild of America, protesting in front of the offices of Netflix in Hollywood, California, May 5, 2023
Writers march on the fourth day of the strike by the Writers Guild of America, protesting in front of the offices of Netflix in Hollywood, California, May 5, 2023. Photo: Frederic J. BROWN / AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Never miss breaking news – join Briefly News' Telegram channel!

US President Joe Biden said Monday he wants to see striking movie and television writers in Hollywood promptly get a "fair deal" on contract negotiations.

"I sincerely hope the writers' strike in Hollywood gets resolved and writers are given the fair deal they deserve as soon as possible," he said during a film screening at the White House in honor of the Asian-American community.

It is the first time the pro-union Democrat has commented on the strike, which kicked off after negotiations between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and major US studios and streaming services failed last week.

The thousands of picketing writers say they are striking for better compensation in a field that has been disrupted by streaming.

WGA represents some 11,500 screenwriters.

Writers also say they are looking for more stable working conditions and a better share of the profits generated by the rise of streaming.

Read also

Buffett faults US government handling of banking crisis

PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!

In the past, network television series regularly stretched into 20 episodes, providing writers with months of work, plus royalties -- known as residuals -- paid out when broadcasters aired reruns.

But as more of the industry is dominated by streaming, writers say they are making less money.

Series on streaming platforms can be markedly shorter than their network counterparts -- sometimes coming in at just six episodes -- leading to less work and smaller teams.

And writers say streaming residuals are much lower.

The strike's immediate impact has already been seen with the suspension of several late-night shows. Disruptions to television series and films more likely the longer the strike goes on.

The last Hollywood writers' strike was in 2007, when writers paralyzed the industry for 100 days, and cost California's economy $2.1 billion.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.