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Listen: Talks to Last Into the Weekend
SAG-AFTRA and Studio CEOs Continue Talks Through the Weekend in Hopes of Reaching a Deal
• SAG-AFTRA and Studio CEOs have agreed to continue talks, with the location being determined.
• Despite dissatisfaction with SAG-AFTRA’s latest proposals, both sides believe there is potential to build upon negotiations.
• During the previous round of negotiations, SAG-AFTRA shifted their demands by proposing a 57¢ per subscriber annual charge for streamers.
• The studios presented an offer this week that included increased bonuses and higher minimum rates; in response, SAG-AFTRA adjusted their request from 11% to 9%.
• Yesterday’s face-to-face meeting between the studios and guild left both sides cautiously optimistic about a potential new deal.
• Signatures were acquired from prominent actors supporting continuing the strike if an inadequate deal is accepted.
A resolution to the 106-day strike by the 160,000-member guild will likely be reached tonight. However, the guild and the AMPTP have agreed to continue talks over the weekend if necessary.
The location of these discussions, whether at SAG-AFTRA’s offices or virtually, has yet to be determined.
One insider revealed that the major studio executives, including Bob Iger of Disney, Ted Sarandos of Netflix, David Zaslav of Warner Bros Discovery, and Donna Langley of NBCUniversal, were not overly impressed with the guild’s latest proposals during today’s virtual session.
However, despite the initial reaction, both sides recognize that there is potential to build upon and continue negotiations.
SAG-AFTRA made a significant shift in their demands during the previous round of negotiations, proposing a 57¢ per subscriber annual charge for streamers. This proposal ultimately led to the studios walking out and suspending talks.
Following a re-start in negotiations on October 24, the studios presented an offer this week that included increased bonuses based on streaming success and higher minimum rates. In response, SAG-AFTRA adjusted their request from an 11% rise to 9%.
Overall, it’s been a relatively quiet day regarding updates, but this silence can be interpreted positively as a sign that negotiations are progressing.
A face-to-face meeting between the studios and the guild yesterday left both sides cautiously optimistic about a potential new deal. However, sticking points, such as success-based compensation and, to a lesser extent, artificial intelligence, still need to be addressed.
After the day’s talks concluded, a letter was released with signatures from prominent actors, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jon Hamm, and Sarah Paulson, stating their preference for continuing the strike rather than accepting a subpar deal.