Getty EXCLUSIVE: Historic Meeting Between SAG-AFTRA and Studio CEOs Ends, Negotiations Continue
A highly anticipated meeting between SAG-AFTRA and an expanded group of studio CEOs has just concluded, marking the 114th day of the actors’ strike. In a virtual gathering that lasted approximately an hour, top executives from Netflix, Disney, NBCUniversal, Paramount, Amazon, Sony, Warner Bros Discovery, and more engaged with SAG-AFTRA leaders via Zoom to discuss the AMPTP’s latest response to the guild’s counterproposal. The executives presented a comprehensive and fair package with a forward-looking approach, which includes robust AI protections, according to sources close to the negotiations.
The ball is now in SAG-AFTRA’s court as guild president Fran Drescher, chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, and other members of the negotiating committee review the AMPTP’s response and deliberate on the next steps. It remains uncertain whether further discussions will take place later today or on Sunday. Given the progress made so far, it is essential to thoroughly examine the proposal’s details before proceeding, as stated by a well-positioned guild member.
While the package from the studios encompasses various aspects, which are not limited to a record-breaking wage increase in 40 years and a 100% boost in performance compensation bonuses for high-budget streaming series and movies, the inclusion of comprehensive AI protections has been significant. “We didn’t just come toward you, we came all the way to you,” said Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos during the meeting. However, determining the exact proximity to a new three-year contract remains challenging, with sources on both sides cautiously optimistic.
This meeting marked a notable departure from previous negotiations, with a larger group of studio CEOs participating via Zoom, including industry leaders from NBCUniversal, Warner Bros Discovery, Disney, and Netflix. Paramount Pictures, Amazon Studios, Sony Pictures, and Apple Studios were also represented, highlighting the industry’s urgency to restore global TV and film production, which has been severely impacted by the strikes initiated by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. The economic toll has been estimated at $6.5 billion in California alone, resulting in the loss of over 45,000 entertainment industry jobs.
Both the fall TV season and the theatrical release schedule have suffered, with unscripted shows and sports dominating the former and several gaps already appearing in the latter for 2024 due to the strike. The recent box office numbers reflect this, with a meager $58 million in total earnings, making it the third-lowest frame of the year. Legendary/Warner Bros.’ movie “Dune: Part Two” being postponed to next year as a result of the strike has contributed to this decline.
As of now, neither SAG-AFTRA nor the AMPTP have responded to Deadline’s requests for comment regarding the state of the negotiations. We will update this post as soon as any official statements are made.
