SAG-AFTRA Talks Suspended, as Studios Say Gap Between Sides Is ‘Too Great’
variety.comGene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Talks between SAG-AFTRA and the major studios have broken down, as the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said Wednesday that the gap between the sides is “too great.” The key stumbling block is a union proposal to share in streaming revenue, which the AMPTP says would cost $800 million a year.
SAG-AFTRA wants a share of streaming revenue for all union-covered shows — both made-for-streaming and films and TV shows licensed from other platforms — which would go well beyond the success-based bonus won by the Writers Guild of America. “SAG-AFTRA’s current offer included what it characterized as a viewership bonus that, by itself, would cost more than $800 million per year – which would create an untenable economic burden,” the studio group said in a statement. “SAG-AFTRA presented few, if any, moves on the numerous remaining open items.” SAG-AFTRA is also seeking an 11% increase in minimum rates to keep pace with inflation.
The AMPTP is offering the same deal it gave the WGA and the Directors Guild of America — 5%, followed by increases of 4% and 3.5%.
The studios presented their latest offer on Wednesday. In the statement, the AMPTP said, “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.” “We hope that SAG-AFTRA will reconsider and return to productive negotiations soon,” the AMPTP said.
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