Will Forte Says Writers’ Residuals Slashed by Streaming, Repair That First

Will Forte says Hollywood writers is likely to be on the picket line longer than anticipated if they can not get the sort of cash they used to … which has modified rather a lot resulting from expertise.

The ‘SNL’ alum was exhibiting help Wednesday with protesters exterior of Sony’s HQ in Culver Metropolis — and he chopped it up with us about one of many key sticking factors within the WGA’s negotiations with studio execs … specifically, a pointy lower in residuals earned in TV.

As Will explains, writers used to get additional money each time their work aired — that is on prime of their going price to do the job. Nonetheless, within the period of streaming-first programming, these residuals have principally gone down the drain.

Not simply that, however Will says there are fewer episodes per season being made today. Whereas a daily season on cable or a community again within the day used to run 20+ episodes — streaming reveals now are a lot shorter, clocking in at about 10 episodes a season or much less.

Backside line … writers have gotten screwed on getting paid on a number of fronts — which is among the massive the reason why this strike is occurring … amongst different elements, like AI, staffing, and so on.

Contemplating the media panorama has modified drastically prior to now 10-15 years … Will predicts this deadlock will final for a short time. There are some main corrections writers are demanding in any new settlement — and the studios are gonna want to satisfy them midway.

The query … how lengthy will this go on? Content material is getting cranked out at a approach quicker tempo than the final strike, so studios presumably have stuff within the vault and might maintain some time.