Updated with more details
On a day of union national solidarity for the writers guild and the actors union, the AMPTP tonight surprised everyone by releasing details of what they call a “comprehensive package” to address scribes’ concerns. The August 11 tabled proposal, which is almost two weeks old, offers new insights into residuals, AI, writers’ rooms, and most notably, a new commitment to transparency in metrics from the streamers. The AMPTP is proudly proclaiming that this offer represents the highest wage increase for writers in 35 years.
This evening’s unexpected release by the AMPTP follows a meeting that just concluded between WGA leadership, AMPTP leadership, and several studio CEOs. It was an opportunity for the CEOs to directly express their support for the latest proposal to end the strike. Among those speaking with the WGA brass were Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Disney boss Bob Iger, and Warner Bros Discovery chief David Zaslav.
In the meantime, there seems to be a potential sea change happening when it comes to digital metrics. The studios and streamers are now offering the WGA “increased data transparency” in the form of quarterly confidential reports that include viewership data per title. This move by the AMPTP shows a willingness to address a major obstacle to a new contract and allows the WGA to develop proposals to restructure the current SVOD residual regime in the future.
The AMPTP’s proposal also includes minimum staffing for writers’ rooms, which has been a significant issue during the strike. This new package substantially improves upon the AMPTP’s prior proposals and offers unprecedented terms in the areas of Generative Artificial Intelligence, data transparency, and minimum staffing.
After talks ended in early May and the guild called its first strike in 15 years, the AMPTP did not respond to the WGA’s requests for more negotiations. However, amidst pressure from studio and streamer CEOs and some back channeling, AMPTP boss Carol Lombardini reached out to the WGA leadership with an offer to meet. The parties returned to the bargaining table for the first time on August 11, 102 days into the strike.
The WGA has not yet responded to this publicly released proposal, but we will update this article as soon as they do.
Here’s the AMPTP release, with a detailed appendix:
