Is the 2023 Writer’s Strike over? After five months of writers new and old marching the picket lines outside of Hollywood’s biggest studios, rallying for better rights and compensation, you may have heard the latest news and wonder if it’s all coming to an end.
The 2023 Writers Strike has been one of the biggest focuses of the entertainment industry this year. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) put down their pens and began striking back in May 2023, with many of the best TV series and best movies in production grinding to a halt. As of September 2023, a major update has been given that changes everything.
The word ‘agreement’ has been said, and the WGA seems to be shaking their signs in triumph, for now. But what does this all mean? Is the strike over? Read on for all the details you need to know about the deal.
Is the Writer’s Strike over?
The Writers Strike officially ended at 12:01am PT on September 27, 2023, following a “tentative agreement” between the WGA and several major Hollywood studios and streamers regarding the terms of a new three-year contract.
Since it began in early 2023, the Writers Strike has impacted many productions, including the likes of House of Dragon season 2, Stranger Things season 5, and Yellowstone season 5 part 2. The strike began when writers decided to stand up to the major studios and streaming services to fight for fair pay, streaming compensation, and rights against the use of artificial intelligence.
The WGA emailed their members on September 24, writing: “We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language. We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional — with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”
The new contract will be valid for three years, and includes updates on pay rates, residual payments for streaming projects, and new regulations surrounding the usage of AI. This is a major win for the WGA, and will set the bar for the future treatment and compensation of existing writers, and writers to come.
As it stands, the contract still needs to be ratified by the 11,500 members that make up the union, so there’s still some work to be done. WGA leaders also told members that they will now ensure that “the last ‘i’ is dotted.”
Are the writers going back to work?
Members of the WGA were told that they were allowed to return to work from September 27, 2023.
The last major Writers Strike took place in 2007-2008, and latest a total of 99 days. By comparison, the 2023 Writers Strike lasted 148 days.
If you’re looking to see what’s to come amid the changing dates of various projects, check out our list of the new movies due this year. You can also check out our guides to The Marvels and the Dune 2 release date for the biggest movies soon to come. Plus, check out our list of the best drama series and best comedy movies to see why writers are so important.
Plus, we did a little research of our own to see how AI effects the quality of shows, by asking AI to write the Game of Thrones prequel Snow. Needless to say, it wasn’t good.