Studios cancel TV writer contracts
From The Los Angeles Times, 1.15.08
By Meg James, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
The move signals that the development of next season's programs could be in jeopardy because of the strike.
Conceding that the current television season cannot be salvaged, four major studios canceled dozens of writer contracts Monday.
The move signals that development of next season's crop of new shows also could be in jeopardy because of the 2-month-old writers strike. Typically, January marks the start of pilot season when networks order new comedies and dramas. But with writers not working, networks do not have a pool of scripts from which to choose.
20th Century Fox Television, CBS Paramount Network Television, NBC Universal and Warner Bros. Television each confirmed that they terminated development and production agreements. Such arrangements typically cost the studios $500,000 to $2 million a year per writer in order to pay them and their staffs and overhead while they develop ideas for new TV shows. More
posted by thereel @ 8:49 PM
7 Comments:
I find this very, very depressing.
I just don't see any prospect of this coming to an end anytime soon - but I'd love to be proved wrong!
Are we surprised that NBC Universal is one of the studios bailing on the writers?
This is so sad. The show was moved to USA, high in the ratings and doing great with USA's support and promotion of the show and now the season ends halfway. Shame on the studios. And applause for the striking writers for sticking to their guns.
I am sorry but at this point I don't see anyone benefiting from anything due to this strike-too many people are already hurting and now it is just escalating-
From a personal point of view, we all love CI-last year at this time we were worried about CI-the move to USA was phenomenally better than anyone could have predicted-and now what-nothing-
The Closer is another one of my favorite shows-it runs in the summer and right now they are in production-they are not so what's going to happen to that cast and crew-will TNT let them film when the strike is over and broadcast them in the fall or are they to wait another whole year to resume the series-
No one is winning-and frankly though the producers may think that they can satisfy TV viewers with anymore half-baked reality shows, please spare us the minimal effort-
Someone resolve this soon,please-
Ted Danson made a good point this morning on one of the morning shows, the cancellation of the Golden Globe awards gave some TV shows and movies the opportunity to shine and gain spotlight and that was just totally lost-
Just end it-
Regi.
Nooo! Gimme Bobby!
Totally agree with you, Regina. No one is benifiting by the strike. I love CI too. I may get people, mainly writers, mad by saying this, but here's my two cents. They need to swollow their pride. They need to realize that life's not fair, and they probably aren't going to get everything they want, and probably deserve. But, right now, they are making no money. Guys, getting paid some is better than not getting paid at all. Suck it up, like the rest of us working stiffs. I'm sorry if I've offended anyone, but that's how I feel. To all CI fans, keep on hoping this will get resolved soon, and that we will get our show back.
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