View Poll Results: How long will the WGA strike last from 11/12/07.
less than two weeks
1
0.74%
more than two weeks
2
1.48%
a month
6
4.44%
Christmas '07
7
5.19%
First month of '08
27
20.00%
Three months or longer.
92
68.15%
Voters: 135. You may not vote on this poll
How long do you the the WGA strike will last?
11-12-07 | 10:11 PM
#27
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From: Southside Virginia
Originally Posted by Seantn
I thought the SAG/DGA stuff ended in June 2008.
11-13-07 | 04:06 AM
#31
DVD Talk God
It seems to me that the studios and writers just aren't on the same page at all. The writers and showrunners better be careful...as they may not have a show to come back to if the studios decide to cancel their shows to punish them.
11-13-07 | 07:39 AM
#32
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From: H-Town, TX
I think it'll last well into the new year. The rest of the '07-'08 TV season is likely toast. The real question is will this last long enough to affect the '08-'09 season and '09 at the multiplexes.
11-13-07 | 11:12 AM
#33
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From: Southside Virginia
Originally Posted by DJariya
It seems to me that the studios and writers just aren't on the same page at all. The writers and showrunners better be careful...as they may not have a show to come back to if the studios decide to cancel their shows to punish them.
11-13-07 | 11:50 AM
#34
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From: WAS looking for My Own Private Stuckeyville, but stuck in Liberty City (while missing Vice City)
According to TV Guide:
With the Writers Guild of America strike entering its ninth day, network executives are now saying they don't expect a settlement until early next year. As of late Monday, there was not even a hint of the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers, which represents the studios, returning to the bargaining table, as both sides are dug in on the issue of residual payments for DVD and digital distribution of programs.
"We're being told by our labor people that it won't be resolved before the end of the year," says one network executive.
There are also no signs that any of the late-night talk-show hosts will return to their desks without writers. Several network insiders said published reports about a scenario where substitute hosts fill in for Jay Leno on NBC's Tonight Show and Conan O'Brien on Late Night with Conan O'Brien was unlikely. "It would be hard for any late-night host to go on without writers, but someone who's never hosted before?" said one exec. But the hosts will clearly feel the pressure to return as the staffs of those shows could be laid off after this week. — Reporting by Stephen Battaglio
"We're being told by our labor people that it won't be resolved before the end of the year," says one network executive.
There are also no signs that any of the late-night talk-show hosts will return to their desks without writers. Several network insiders said published reports about a scenario where substitute hosts fill in for Jay Leno on NBC's Tonight Show and Conan O'Brien on Late Night with Conan O'Brien was unlikely. "It would be hard for any late-night host to go on without writers, but someone who's never hosted before?" said one exec. But the hosts will clearly feel the pressure to return as the staffs of those shows could be laid off after this week. — Reporting by Stephen Battaglio
11-13-07 | 11:56 AM
#35
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From: Southside Virginia
I wonder if Conan would technically be in breach of his deal that gives him either the Tonight Show or a hefty buyout in 2009 if he doesn't return. If so, that could give NBC a hefty amount of ability to pressure one of Jay and Conan to return. They could give Jay the carrot that if he comes back, they'll void Conan's deal and Conan the stick that they'll kill his deal and not give him Tonight if he stays out.
11-13-07 | 12:18 PM
#36
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Jimmy James
They could give Jay the carrot that if he comes back, they'll void Conan's deal and Conan the stick that they'll kill his deal and not give him Tonight if he stays out.
I doubt very much that networks will start playing hardball by making threats or taking actions that have such wide-reaching impact.
11-13-07 | 12:24 PM
#37
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From: Southside Virginia
Maybe NBC is having second thoughts about forcing Jay out, particularly if Conan isn't willing to show the Carson-like ability to tough out a writers strike.
11-13-07 | 12:59 PM
#38
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Jimmy James
I wonder if Conan would technically be in breach of his deal that gives him either the Tonight Show or a hefty buyout in 2009 if he doesn't return. If so, that could give NBC a hefty amount of ability to pressure one of Jay and Conan to return. They could give Jay the carrot that if he comes back, they'll void Conan's deal and Conan the stick that they'll kill his deal and not give him Tonight if he stays out.
The networks are nuts to let this strike drag on until next year. They're only going to hasten their own demise.
11-13-07 | 01:13 PM
#39
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
The networks are nuts to let this strike drag on until next year. They're only going to hasten their own demise.
However, the writers will have to spend xmas out of work and on the picket line, and that might have a demoralizing effect, no matter how you cut it.
And there's no way the networks/studios will EVER suffer a "demise" of any kind. They still control the airways, and being in Hollywood will always be the dream of millions more than can ever achieve it.
11-13-07 | 01:17 PM
#40
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by DVD Josh
No, they aren't. I'm not taking a side, I think both have their pluses and minuses, but there couldn't be a better time of year for this to happen from teh point of view of the studios. December is typically filled with repeats due to the holidays (Tgiving is next week as well!). There seems to be enough new material to carry them through November sweeps.
However, the writers will have to spend xmas out of work and on the picket line, and that might have a demoralizing effect, no matter how you cut it.
However, the writers will have to spend xmas out of work and on the picket line, and that might have a demoralizing effect, no matter how you cut it.
And there's no way the networks/studios will EVER suffer a "demise" of any kind. They still control the airways, and being in Hollywood will always be the dream of millions more than can ever achieve it.
11-13-07 | 01:26 PM
#41
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
If they settle in January, you'll be right. If they settle in July or later, it's a totally different story.
Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
More networks are fighting over diminishing audience share- that's just a fact. The big media companies that own them are diversified and will be fine, but the networks could be in for a lot of pain.
But network TV will always lead the way, because it's free, unlike cable or sat.
11-13-07 | 01:29 PM
#42
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by DVD Josh
Yeah, but people will come back. TV is still the most common recreational activity, by far.
11-13-07 | 01:34 PM
#43
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
After the last writers' strike, 9% didn't come back. That's not inconsequential.
11-13-07 | 01:39 PM
#44
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by DVD Josh
But didn't come back EVER? How soon after the strike ended did that number improve? I don't know. If I had to guess, I'd say within the first six months, at most a year.
11-13-07 | 01:40 PM
#45
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From: My Car
I don't have numbers to back it up, but in many articles I've read about the strike it has been said that audience numbers have not recovered and never reached the pre-1988 strike levels.
11-13-07 | 01:44 PM
#46
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
Pretty much, yeah, if this chart is accurate:
The question is at what point does the savings on new media royalties cut into lost advertising profits? That's the tip of scale business wise.
11-13-07 | 01:46 PM
#47
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From: Southside Virginia
Originally Posted by Lunatikk
I don't have numbers to back it up, but in many articles I've read about the strike it has been said that audience numbers have not recovered and never reached the pre-1988 strike levels.
11-13-07 | 01:47 PM
#48
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by DVD Josh
I guess that's what I'd be thinking if I were the studios, that people will come back regardless. I haven't seen alot of sympathy from the public towards the writers either, which is certainly fueling some of this as well.
11-13-07 | 01:49 PM
#49
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Lunatikk
I don't have numbers to back it up, but in many articles I've read about the strike it has been said that audience numbers have not recovered and never reached the pre-1988 strike levels.