How streaming caused the TV writers strike

The way scripted television gets made today has transformed the careers of writers.

Thousands of television and film writers who are part of the Writers Guild of America are in the middle of a historic strike. They're forming picket lines in front of studios, and productions in New York and Los Angeles and shutting down active sets. The last time they went on strike was 15 years ago — when streaming’s impact on the film and television industry was only just taking shape. This time around, they are striking for better residuals and rights against the looming threat of AI, among other concerns.

At the core of this dispute is streaming and how it's revolutionized the industry. Companies like Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, and more have given consumers an unprecedented array of films and TV shows and opened the door to new voices that don’t have to adhere to mainstream network formats. On the other hand, streaming has also changed how television gets produced, the role writers play, and how they get paid. We interviewed four television writers and showrunners about how streaming has changed how they work, how their incomes have taken a hit, and why it has become harder than ever to build a career.

Further reading:

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[Vox]

Disclosure: Vox Media’s editorial team is also unionized with the Writers Guild of America, East. But its members are not part of the strike covered in this video, nor are they part of the contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

[sahitanand]

That last line is the most powerful statement I've heard so far. "I think we want to make sure that, art isn't coming from only voices who can afford to do this job"

[ИванСнежков-зй]

I've seen writers also complain that not only are writing periods smaller, they are contractually forbidden to work for another show in the mean time.

[RobbieChance]

Streaming didn't cause the writer's strike - greedy companies and people did. I support the writers and hope they get everything and more.

[puja_]

Its sad how writers are considered bottom in the hierarchy when they are the ones who are creating the entire world.

[alimuh]

"Art isn't coming from only voices that can afford to do this job." This quote had a big impact on me. Hopefully, this gets figured out, and these writers find a situation that is a better fit for the talent and effort that they bring to the production.

[crystalpritchard]

This video is so interesting because you realize how similar this issue is to what most people are experiencing in the workforce. Way back in the day, people used to spend their entire careers working at one company, they could start in the mailroom and make their way up the ladder to the executive suite. Nowadays the mailroom jobs are often contracted out so you don’t build seniority and you don’t get benefits and so career growth is that much harder and there’s no company loyalty. At the end of the day, it’s all about maximizing profits to the detriment of workers everywhere.

[EvilChicken]

I was already on the “give the writers guild everything they are demanding” camp, but after watching this I’m thinking whatever they are demanding is just the BEGINNING of what needs to happen. Wow

[nathantilly]

Strikes are vital for workers rights, so workers can be heard and as a blunt reminder to management that sometimes the lowest paid people are the most important.

[kimberliesharp]

Netflix is a prime example of this. Wednesday did as well as Stranger Things. They didn’t retain any of there writers bc of this streaming structure. Not one writer from the first season was signed on for the second season. It’s 100% a different show by that alone.

[Wanderlauch]

Good on them for striking.
A lot of professions should go on strike, but can't.

[zongmuas]

I love movies and TV Shows and that's why I decided to go into the creative industry. For a period of time, I wanted to break into "Hollywood". Go the traditional route. I worked on a few film/tv/commercial sets at lower-level positions and got to see what the reality of "Hollywood" was. It broke my heart to see how people were treated. I understand that I was in a lower-level position but I think basic human decency is not a lot to ask for. After my last set, back in 2021, I decided to find another path that wasn't the "traditional" filmmaking path. I never wanted fame or wealth, I just wanted to make a living and be happy doing the thing that I love. This strike is long overdue because these writers deserve better.

[thegreydruid]

Post Productionist here, we've felt the lack of work and as the years have gone on less and less pay. I used to get paid $30 an hour now its $19 and I've been doing it for 10+ years. This is needed for the whole industry.

[SMtWalkerS]

This really explains how vastly changed the business is. Someone is making plenty of money from the creative work of these writers. Management needs to share, I support the writers.

[redflamelcd]

Studios and streaming platforms are nothing without the writers. Pay them fairly.

[NikkiBWithTheAdHd]

I really appreciated this break down. Definitely helped me to understand this strike and how important it truly is to entertainment.

[Aisenheim]

Strikes are the way to show that CEOs don't create your Entertainment

[mariaboylan]

Writers should not be the bottom of the ladder. Without their thoughts, creativity and words THERE IS NO SHOW! Put the writers in the place they belong and pay for for what they are, the CREATORS.

[ShoeibShargo]

I am all for more episodes. Imagine the writers who wrote Prison Break and kept you hooked all through 24 episodes in every season. Mad respect. I don't enjoy shorter episode series, it's like you are busting my bubble that I like too early.

[thedavidakoh]

These studios have to stop taking writers for granted. You have nothing to direct, perform, produce, market, edit, or profit from without writers. Hoping the storytellers win.