California Considers Bill That Would Free Actors From Exclusivity Deals

variety.com:

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterTV networks have long known the value of exclusive contracts for their stars. Networks that invest millions in developing and promoting a show don’t want to see the lead actor show up in another series on a rival network.But in the streaming era, those exclusivity deals have become a major concern for actors.

TV seasons have far fewer episodes than they did a decade ago, and there are often longer breaks between seasons. So actors often find themselves forced out of work for extended periods while they wait to hear whether their show has been picked up for another season.The state of California is considering a bill that would up-end that arrangement.

The bill, AB 437, would bar exclusivity agreements for actors. If it passed, the stars of “Stranger Things” could show up on “Euphoria,” so long as the production schedules don’t overlap. “As long as there’s not a conflict, there really shouldn’t be that kind of restriction,” said Assemblyman Ash Kalra, D-San Jose, the author of the bill. “Artists should be able to work rather than putting the power with the studios.”The bill is being pushed by SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, which has long held that exclusivity deals have become outdated.“We just had longer and longer periods of time where people are being held, not working for their original employer and not being allowed to do anything else,” said Jeffrey P.

Bennett, the union’s general counsel. “We said, ‘Look, you need to be able to at least let people go work when you are not working them.'”But the studios are pushing back, warning that the law could make it difficult to schedule a second season of a show, as actors will be off shooting other things.“Without the ability to secure the.