The Daily

How Streaming Hurt Hollywood Writers

May 5, 2023

In a thought-provoking discussion, John Koblin, a media reporter for The New York Times, delves into the striking realities faced by Hollywood writers amidst the rise of streaming services. He unveils how this tech-driven shift has disrupted traditional compensation models, leading to financial instability for writers. Koblin explores the precarious job market emerging from streaming's dominance and the dramatic changes in storytelling opportunities. The conversation highlights the urgent need for fair pay and the ongoing struggle for writers' rights in a rapidly evolving industry.

27:51

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Episode guests

John Koblin

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Writers at the Crossroads: Streaming Challenges

11min

The Financial Impact of Streaming on Writers

3min

The Shifting Economic Landscape for Writers

4min

Hollywood Struggles: Strikes and Streaming

7min

Convictions and Controversy: Politics in the Spotlight

2min

This week, thousands of writers went on strike against Hollywood studios over what they say is an existential threat to their livelihoods.

John Koblin, a media reporter for The New York Times, explains how streaming turned the most prolific era in American entertainment into an industry-changing labor dispute.

Guest: John Koblin, a media reporter for The New York Times.

Background reading:

The dispute, which pits 11,500 television and screenwriters against the major studios, has shattered 15 years of labor peace in the entertainment business.
In the years since the entertainment industry’s last strike, sweeping technological change has upended the television and movie business.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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