Writer and TV host Adam Conover joins Matt to discuss the details and victories of the WGA negotiation, including success-based streaming residuals, AI restrictions, and minimum staffing for writers rooms. Matt also predicts the impact of Taylor Swift's appearance on NFL ratings.
The new writers' contract includes wage increases, domestic and foreign residuals, and minimum staffing requirements for writers rooms, providing financial improvements and job security for writers.
The introduction of success-based streaming residuals in the new contract ensures that writers receive bonuses if their shows or movies reach a certain viewership threshold, bringing transparency and fair compensation to the ever-evolving landscape of streaming.
Deep dives
Major gains in the writers' contract
The podcast episode discusses the significant gains made in the new writers' contract. One of the main victories is the wage increases, with a 5% increase in the first year. The contract also includes gains in domestic and foreign residuals, providing financial improvements for the writers. Moreover, specific language is included to ensure that AI-generated materials cannot undermine a writer's credit. The issue of minimum staffing for TV shows is addressed, with a sliding scale of three to six writers, depending on the number of episodes. The contract also guarantees the hiring of writer producers throughout the process. Overall, the new contract is valued at $233 million a year and is considered a significant win for writers in several areas.
Success-based streaming residuals and transparency
Another important aspect of the new contract is the introduction of success-based streaming residuals. This landmark provision ensures that writers receive a bonus if their shows or movies are watched by 20% of a streaming service's subscribers within 90 days. The metric is a significant step forward in terms of transparency, as streaming services will now disclose the number of hours each program or movie is streamed worldwide. Despite initial resistance from the companies, the guild's member power and solidarity played a vital role in securing this provision. While the terms may evolve over time, the framework serves as a strong foundation for writers to advocate for fair compensation and protection in the ever-evolving landscape of streaming.
Strong protections against AI-generated content
The podcast episode highlights the robust safeguards included in the contract to protect writers from AI-generated content. The agreement explicitly states that AI cannot write or rewrite literary material. Any AI-generated material will not be considered source material, ensuring that it does not undermine a writer's credit. Furthermore, if companies provide AI-generated material during the process, they must disclose this information to the writers. The guild's firm stance on protecting writers' rights and original work serves as a victory in an increasingly digital and technologically advanced landscape where AI's role continues to grow.
Minimum staffing and the protection of writer-producers
The podcast episode delves into the importance of minimum staffing requirements for TV shows and the protection of writer-producers. Despite not achieving all desired outcomes, the contract establishes a sliding scale of three to six writers, including the showrunner, based on the number of episodes, ensuring a minimum number of writers for each production. Additionally, the contract introduces a new tier for writer-producers, providing higher minimum weekly rates. This incentivizes the promotion of lower-level writers and offers them better opportunities for career advancement. While questions remain about potential loopholes and scenarios that may arise, the guild's commitment to continuously addressing and plugging those holes stands strong.
Matt is joined by writer, TV host, and WGA negotiation committee member Adam Conover to break down the details of the deal and outline what exactly the writers won, including the groundbreaking success-based streaming residual, official language on AI restrictions, minimum staffing for writers rooms, and much more. Matt finishes the show by giving a prediction on NFL ratings in the wake of the Taylor Swift–Travis Kelce frenzy.
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