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Is it too late to avoid long term affects from WGA strike?

19 January 2008 19:29 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 14 comments

With the Directors Guild of America apparently ready to sign a new contract that deals with many of the same issues members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have been striking over for over two months, it looks likely that a settlement with the writers may be reached within the next month and a potential Screen Actors Guild (SAG) strike this summer averted completely. Even assuming that studios are able to come to agreeable terms with the WGA, it will be interesting to see whether the strike has had a lasting impact on the home entertainment industry.

While the business of making movies and TV shows has nearly been shut down by the WGA strike, consumer demand for entertainment in the living room hasn't waned. It has had to adapt to the reality of television with no writers though. According to a recent study from media analysts at Interpret, both DVDs and video games have become more popular as replacements for television are sought. The study found that around 1/3 of respondents have changed their viewing habits since the strike began in November.

More than 40% of those polled reported more time spent watching movies on DVD, and 23% saying they're getting their TV the same way, the outlook for studios to get back to business as usual seems good. But another group, the 26% who said they're spending more time playing video games, may be something of a concern.

"The strike makes scripted programming more valuable than ever," Interpret CEO Michael Dowling said. "As top shows disappear from primetime, viewers may go back and view critically lauded TV series they missed the first time around, play more video games or watch more movies on DVD."

When the writer's strike ends, and eventually it has to, the networks may find themselves scrambling to bring back viewers who have found other ways to occupy their time. If nothing else it's certainly not hurting Apple any as they try to convince consumers to try out their new movie rental service.

Permalink to this article

Do Apple's online video rentals really have a chance? (19 January 2008)

Downloadable content sales for "Rock Band" skyrockets (18 January 2008)

Apple announces iTunes movie rental deals (15 January 2008)

Directors guild starts negotiations in Hollywood (12 January 2008)

CES 2008: Xbox 360 goes IPTV with new partnership (7 January 2008)

CBS to significantly increase TV show releases on DVD this year (6 January 2008)

Home video forecast remains partly cloudy for the next year (16 December 2007)

WGA strike won't delay most DVD series box sets (17 November 2007)

Striking Daily Show writer finds new audience on YouTube (16 November 2007)

Writers Guild of America goes on strike (5 November 2007)

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ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 19 January 2008 20:51
I dont watch TV anymore because they were not pulling their weight I dont watch the news anymore because its entertainment and not NEWS and thats the hard news you dont even want to know what I think of the rest... Sure I might find a TV show I might can stand like moonlight been putting off heroes because of the nightmares I get from bad TV.... and lets not even start on the raped and mutilated projects they call film.... so you know if the producers want to make sht that might make a buck for them and their studio let them do it anyway they can its already to late to save current hollywood.......... [ + quote]
falcon07 (Newbie) 19 January 2008 22:24
I got turned off with TV not because of the strike, but nowadays shows are being written and poorly at that, just to display their commercials. You sit for a 60 minute show and have to stomach 50-60 ads per show. To make matters worse they will show maybe two shows all new then follow that up with a couple of re-runs. Think about it, you sit there and stomach re-runs just to see more ads. I go to the library and just get a movie and most of them are oldies back when they were not filled with previews. After surfing I'm off to watch one of the old James Bond movies. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 19 January 2008 22:26
ripxrush (Newbie) 20 January 2008 2:41
Well i Agree with both of you! I don't know all who lives here in the US but i remember a baseball strike when guys making millions for working half as hard & half as much as i do & most of you strike cause they wanted more $! Well it sure hurt the game for many years to come & i don't know if it ever got back! In my opinion i do not want to put a anti union position out but i feel that unions have become WAY too powerful in recent years! most of the reasons they where formed are laws now! I dont know what the writers make but some of these tv guys live in nice homes & could take a little less for them selfs. I know i work my ass off to make my mortgage of just over $1000 a month! I feel no pity for anyone! [ + quote]
Scaldari (Newbie) 20 January 2008 2:47
I have to say the writers strike has not affected me much. I have an HTPC built with 3 tuners and I download alot of my content. I have not been happy with a majority of what has been on tv for a long time. Infact I would have to say aside from the occational Movie i have foundvery little worht recording aside for Battlestar Galactica in the last 2 years. That is why i found the strike almost laughable, if anything the Production industry should be on strike from bad writing. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 20 January 2008 2:57
*Originally posted by Scaldari:* I have to say the writers strike has not affected me much. I have an HTPC built with 3 tuners and I download alot of my content. I have not been happy with a majority of what has been on tv for a long time. Infact I would have to say aside from the occational Movie i have foundvery little worht recording aside for Battlestar Galactica in the last 2 years. That is why i found the strike almost laughable, if anything the Production industry should be on strike from bad writing. Please the production companies is what lets the writers get away with it :P [ + quote]
badkrma (Newbie) 20 January 2008 6:13
From what I've read here we are all in agreement. Tv just isn't all that powerful enough to make us weep when the "writers" take a break. With the internet A LOT of content can be downloaded "legal and otherwise" and we all have huge collections of DVD movies and tv show seasons we haven't watched in awhile. And let's also remember that there is a whole world out there for us to give our attention to and our families. And for me I began reading books again, damn I missed that... have a good one. [ + quote]
red2tango (Inactive) 20 January 2008 10:48
stupid shows=no viewers [ + quote]
tripplite (Senior Member) 20 January 2008 11:13
greedy bastards learn a real skill [ + quote]
Rustbuket (Junior Member) 20 January 2008 13:27
*Originally posted by tripplite:* greedy bastards learn a real skill lol.. I miss a few shows like the new season of 24, house, bones, life, battlestar.. Renting alot of dvd's at the redbox for only a buck a pop helps alot!! The writers can go stuff it for all i care, damn money grubbing bunch they are! All of them! [ + quote]
Scaldari (Newbie) 20 January 2008 13:54
Again well said. I have finnished two Asmov books and reread the belgariad, plus have pollished my 4 yo son into a decent chess player. B i think that is more due to poor writing and getting out of the TV rut then the strike. the onlys series i was following was BSG, most of my other watching i encoded off to my Zune and watched durring down times at work. *Originally posted by badkrma:* From what I've read here we are all in agreement. Tv just isn't all that powerful enough to make us weep when the "writers" take a break. With the internet A LOT of content can be downloaded "legal and otherwise" and we all have huge collections of DVD movies and tv show seasons we haven't watched in awhile. And let's also remember that there is a whole world out there for us to give our attention to and our families. And for me I began reading books again, damn I missed that... have a good one. [ + quote]
veyron (Newbie) 20 January 2008 15:09
COLBERT REPORT!! Thank god its back on!! I think I was actually going through withdraws for a while there! [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 20 January 2008 15:12
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 17 February 2008 1:40
The fact is yes the writers need to be recognized for their hard work without them the actors would have nothing to say. :P [ + quote]
tripplite (Senior Member) 17 February 2008 1:43
dam seth went on strike, but family guy will still be aired, but without seth? will it be any good! [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 17 February 2008 1:44
*Originally posted by borhan9:* The fact is yes the writers need to be recognized for their hard work without them the actors would have nothing to say. :P ya but the writers union needs to be culled some...like the actors union...oy "dumb" people are hurting film more than pirates ever had... [ + quote]