According to recent reports, the SAG-AFTRA strike talks are not going as well as hoped. Recently a deal was agreed with the WGA and I think many in this industry felt like an agreement with SAG-AFTRA would come sooner rather than later. However, a recent report from Los Angeles Times indicates there are some big hurdles till to resolve.

‘Talks between actors union SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood studios broke down Wednesday, with the entertainment companies saying negotiations on a new contract have been suspended. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the major studios in labor dealings, said the talks had been called off because the sides remained too divided.’

‘“After meaningful conversations, it is clear that the gap between the AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA is too great, and conversations are no longer moving us in a productive direction,” the studio alliance said in an emailed statement Wednesday night.’

So what is the main stumbling block? The news outlet says the sticking point seems to be actors wanting a cut of streaming revenue.

‘SAG-AFTRA has long said it wants a 2% cut of streaming revenue. The company executives believe that’s not a realistic ask. The AMPTP said such a concession would cost the companies more than $800 million per year and “create an untenable economic burden.”’

RELATED: SAG-AFTRA Support Strike Authorization In Video Game Industry

I can understand both sides of the coin here. Streaming is in trouble because companies are realizing there isn’t as much money to be made as they once thought. The age of movie level budgets for any TV  show that was a decent idea are gone and all studios are looking to reduce costs to keep streaming sustainable. Or to offer reduced fees with advertising to supplement some additional income.

At the same time, the actors should be compensated. The actors who star in these shows which then exist for as long as the company wishes on streaming, are part of it’s success. Actors used to get rights when syndication happened in old style TV series. However, with a company like Disney+ or Netflix that is just not going to happen these days. If studios/business were run to make modest profits as opposed to maximum profits the world may be a better place? However, capitalism doesn’t work that way though folks, sorry. Ergo, when you see which companies or people all invested into Disney, they just want big returns. They don’t care about quality, or only will once profits begin to fall. Such is the price of becoming that big every one wants a piece of you.

I hope we get some kind of deal, unsure what each side would be willing to agree to? However, did anyone explore if they’d take 1%, which would presumably only (only ha) cost $400m per year? If not, I’m no expert, but you could try that one.

So, the SAG-AFTRA strike talks are not going as well as hoped. Leave any thoughts you have on this in the usual place below.

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