Posted on 12/03/2008 7:49:13 AM PST by Kevin J waldroup
SAG Strike Could Spell Disaster for TV (Cable Networks DeathWatch™)
Nov 25, 2008
-By Nellie Andreeva, THR.com
LOS ANGELES Already engaged in deep soul searching following a dismal fall TV season and flatlining ad market, broadcast networks are facing another blow: a potential Screen Actors Guild strike early next year.
SAG's decision during the weekend to seek a strike authorization from its membership following the breakdown of its negotiations with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers has shifted the once-remote possibility of a SAG walkout much closer to reality.
While its effect would not be as far-reaching as this year's strike by the Writers Guild of America -- a SAG walkout would only affect scripted prime-time fare -- it would derail the broadcast season for a second straight year, this time in the midst of a severe economic crisis.
"Everyone is praying that it won't happen, but the reality starts to sink in that there may be a strike," one TV studio exec said.
On Monday, TV executives who normally would be embarking on a Thanksgiving vacation were working on contingencies. For now, there are no plans to cancel or shorten the prime-time series' holiday hiatuses, scheduled for the last two weeks of December, in order to get more episodes in the can.
The bulk of prime-time scripted series will have 60 percent to 75 percent of their episodes completed before they stop for a holiday break and as many as five unaired episodes in various stages of post-production.
(Excerpt) Read more at adweek.com ...
I may well be ignorant, and about many things.
Supporting a product because of "good people" & or they aren't "leftists" is NOT one of them.
I never stated that I was filled with hate for a select few in Hollywood. I intimated that TV programming SUCKS.
Can you hear me now?
So you do not watch tv at all? No 24. No original episodic programming on fox, nbc, abc, cbs, or on cable channels?
I didn’t make the case about supporting the actors. My point is that a strike is going to put the hurt and do more damage to people who aren’t actors.
For whatever reason, a lot of the customers of your industry are po-ed off at your industry. Not a smart part of a good business model.
So where do you get that this is a Cable Networks deathwatch?
Cable channels shouldn’t be affected at all...except maybe they’ll get more viewers.
You are mistaken. It’s not my industry. I know people in it though. And as this economy is in the tank right now, the last thing actors should do is strike. I believe they will end up hurting themselves more. They just need to continue to talk while working.
The only think I hear is someone full of hate for an industry that the person doesn’t fully understand how it works.
And it’s one thing not to support a product because you don’t like it but it’s another to wish ill will on it and to see people lose their paycheck.
And what I hear is a bag full of wind.
This doesn't bother me at all.
Today’s Wall Street Journal has an article on the same subject today. The slant they take is that authorization by the union rank & file is far from certain.
There is a 75% threshold for authorization and organized resistance to a “yes” is emerging.
The writer’s strike last year did a lot of damage to folks in the industry and I’d reckon that many are not anxious for a rerun this season.
On a personal note - so long as Turner Classic Movies is unaffected I am unaffected.
ZERO sympathy for the writers ... in fact, they would deserve this. Perhaps even one or two might say “oh, I get it now.”
I double dog dare them to strike!
It’s probably not the correct time to strike. It’s one thing when the economy is booming, but not when everyone is suffering financially. It makes the SAG look greedy, even if it isn’t the case.
Conversely, I have absolutely no responsibility to SAG nor those employed in the “entertainment industry”. My responsibility is to myself.
If SAG seeks to attain its goals through strike (thereby denying product to me, the consumer), I say; “strike”!
But I won't listen to their whining if they starve. Other entertainment product is available. If SAG shrinks the pie, I can and will purchase other pies.
I used to be an avid baseball fan back in the late 80’s into the early 90’s. Then during the early 90’s recession, the players went on strike. After that, I never went back to watching baseball.
Good timing, SAG — With so many folks losing their jobs right now, these scumbags are not going to get any sympathy from ordinary folks. I hope people stop watching the crap they put out.
Go to Hulu.com
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