Just a heads up for ALL TV viewers...

[Cheesebeef]

Just a word to the wise, don't get too emotionally involved with your TV shows this season, expecting to see a nice end to the season the way you normally would. There's something potentially CATASTROPHIC coming down the pike in "the biz"... otherwise known as the WGA strike/Producer lockout, more than likely starting November 1st.

What does this mean? It means that ALL TV scripts not finished by October 31st (basically 2/3 of the season) will be ON HOLD indefinitely as a new deal is hammered out between the Producers and the Writer's Guild. Back in 1988, that strike lasted 5 months - FIVE MONTHS and people are talking about this being potentially worse. Now, back in 2001, the strike was averted, but the WGA got bent over in that deal and apparently are resolute not to get screwed again, with one of the biggest issues being digital/online distribution revenues, something no one really knows what to do with.

So, I just wanted to prepare y'all for the possibility of a glut of Reality TV and not seeing conclusions to your favorite a TV seasons. Take it for what it's worth, but there's potentially some dark days ahead as far as TV's concerned.

 

[Linderbee]

Well, I'm glad I only watch one tv show...but I will be soooo pissed if I have to wait for Heroes to wrap up season 2.

Thank you for the heads up, cheese!

 

[Griffin]

I wonder how will that affect shows that haven't begun airing yet this season, especially Lost. Lost is not due back until February. I would think they have enough episodes ready that the season should air uninterrupted. That could also mean a ratings boost for the show.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- A strike by the Writers Guild of America could drastically change the television landscape in 2008, MSNBC has reported.

The current WGA contract expires Nov. 1. As of now, it's unclear whether the writers would cease working immediately or continue for a while as a gesture of good will after their contract expires.

Most prime-time scripted shows are in production four or six episodes ahead of their air dates.

Should the guild go on strike Nov. 1, MSNBC noted, there should be enough new episodes completed to last through, at least, the middle of January, thus not disturbing TV viewing habits.

However, come February sweeps, there could be a huge shift in programming with the emphasis placed on reality shows, which aren't written by scribes under WGA contract.

Also, shows that premiered this fall, doing marginally well in the ratings might not get the benefit of the doubt in the form of a full-season order or second-season renewal because it is not cost-effective to keep sets running and people employed for a series that is not airing.

A strike could also affect what is new on television next fall because those scripts are written and pitched far in advance.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Well, I'm glad I only watch one tv show...but I will be soooo pissed if I have to wait for Heroes to wrap up season 2.

Thank you for the heads up, cheese!

no prob - me... and well, everyone else in the industry is praying it doesn't happen, but I thought folks would want to know in advance seeing as the topic gets zero run outside of LA.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I wonder how will that affect shows that haven't begun airing yet this season, especially Lost. Lost is not due back until February. I would think they have enough episodes ready that the season should air uninterrupted. That could also mean a ratings boost for the show.

Lost will be screwed just like every other show.

 

[Griffin]

Lost will be screwed just like every other show.

Wouldn't that depend on how long the strike lasts?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Wouldn't that depend on how long the strike lasts?

yeah.

but the strike could do just the opposite of what you were implying because without it, Lost was already set to run in 16 consecutive weeks, which was the reason it was starting in February. Now, with any kind of strike, people are gonna be behind when they get back which could lead to breaks in the schedule.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Ugh

 

[abomb]

I've been tracking this for a while. It doesnt look good.

 

[Mulli]

Note to self:

get netflix stock

 

[D-Dogg]

Just a word to the wise, don't get too emotionally involved with your TV shows this season, expecting to see a nice end to the season the way you normally would. There's something potentially CATASTROPHIC coming down the pike in "the biz"... otherwise known as the WGA strike/Producer lockout, more than likely starting November 1st.

What does this mean? It means that ALL TV scripts not finished by October 31st (basically 2/3 of the season) will be ON HOLD indefinitely as a new deal is hammered out between the Producers and the Writer's Guild. Back in 1988, that strike lasted 5 months - FIVE MONTHS and people are talking about this being potentially worse. Now, back in 2001, the strike was averted, but the WGA got bent over in that deal and apparently are resolute not to get screwed again, with one of the biggest issues being digital/online distribution revenues, something no one really knows what to do with.

So, I just wanted to prepare y'all for the possibility of a glut of Reality TV and not seeing conclusions to your favorite a TV seasons. Take it for what it's worth, but there's potentially some dark days ahead as far as TV's concerned.

Yeah, I'm actually fearing this like nobody's business. But, I guess I can catch up on other old shows on DVD or *gasp* actually do something productive with my time.

 

[puckhead]

Oh swell, there goes the NBA finals. Now we'll never know if S.A.*'s will repeat.

 

[abomb]

Oh swell, there goes the NBA finals. Now we'll never know if S.A.*'s will repeat.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Oh swell, there goes the NBA finals. Now we'll never know if S.A.*'s will repeat.

That's pretty funny.

This is fine with me. I like watching them on DVD better anyway.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

That's pretty funny.

This is fine with me. I like watching them on DVD better anyway.

Yep, every show that I care about, I watch on DVD now.

 

[Gaddabout]

Maybe we should write our own TV show. I've got a really big cardboard box we could cut out for a fantasy HD big screen TV. I've got a spec script for Heroes on my computer at home. Sylar goes on a killing spree, knocking off all the writers for a popular NBC show about people with supernatural powers, replacing them with writers with supernatural writing ability. I'd love to see it acted out.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

i can replace with hockey, basketball and videogames

there are some shows I really like, but whatever

 

[Chaplin]

This whole issue is nearly identical to the issue a few years ago, which involved DVD revenue. This one involves online revenue, and it's making everyone VERY nervous in the industry.

 

[D-Dogg]

This whole issue is nearly identical to the issue a few years ago, which involved DVD revenue. This one involves online revenue, and it's making everyone VERY nervous in the industry.

And the scary thing it, they don't even have a good revenue plan for online anyway. That's what worries me. It's kind of shot in the dark, or so it appears.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Oh swell, there goes the NBA finals. Now we'll never know if S.A.*'s will repeat.

Nice.

 

[Cheesebeef]

This whole issue is nearly identical to the issue a few years ago, which involved DVD revenue. This one involves online revenue, and it's making everyone VERY nervous in the industry.

what's your pulse on the possible strike Chap? I think it's inevitable - I'm just hoping it's only till New Year's, not longer.

 

[Chaplin]

what's your pulse on the possible strike Chap? I think it's inevitable - I'm just hoping it's only till New Year's, not longer.

Well, I work for a network, so obviously there's a lot of anticipation here. How will that affect us? I have no idea. Television as you know is extremely volatile, and without any surefire hit out there right now, it's tough to figure out just what will be affected.

Right now, it's a wait-and-see game, and nobody really knows what's going to happen. You are absolutely right, it is a BIG deal in this town.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Oh swell, there goes the NBA finals. Now we'll never know if S.A.*'s will repeat.

Ba dum chh!

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[FArting]

Is there an article that I can read more about this?

What about shows like Prison Break 24 or Beauty and the Geek Will I be able to watch them?

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

I remember the effects on programming with the '88 strike. CBS took old shows (like Mission Impossible) and re-shot the old scripts with new actors.

I hope that for your guy's sake (cheese & Chap) that it get resolved before it hits your paychecks.