WGA Argues Strike Will Cost Studios More Than Settlement
variety.comGene Maddaus Senior Media Writer The Writers Guild of America argued Tuesday that the strike will end up costing studios more if it goes on for “weeks and months” than it would cost to agree to writers’ demands.
In an email to members, the WGA negotiating committee said that its proposals would cost an estimated $429 million per year.
The guild argued that is “modest” compared to the billions spent on content every year, and the billions in revenues earned each year by the major entertainment companies. “These companies have made billions in profit off writers’ work, and they tell their investors every quarter about the importance of scripted content,” the committee stated. “Yet they are risking significant continued disruption in the coming weeks and months that would far outweigh the costs of settling.” The WGA also broke down the cost of its proposals by studio.
According to the guild’s estimates, the WGA proposals would cost Disney $75 million per year; Netflix, $68 million; Warner Bros.
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