(Reuters) – Hollywood’s content factory could start humming again soon as studios and streamers on Wednesday reached a tentative agreement with actors after a nearly four-month strike that rocked the industry.
IS THE STRIKE OVER?
Almost. SAG-AFTRA, which represents 160,000 film and television actors, said the 118-day work stoppage ended just after midnight on Thursday as its negotiating committee unanimously backed the deal with the companies.
The union’s national board will consider the agreement on Friday, and SAG-AFTRA members are expected to place their final vote in the coming weeks.
The writers union had been picketing since May for higher pay in the streaming TV era, and ended their strike in September after reaching a $233 million-per-year deal with the companies.
WHAT ARE THE TERMS OF THE ACTORS’ DEAL?
The three-year contract valued at $1 billion includes increases in minimum salaries, a new bonus paid by streaming services and protections against unauthorized use of images generated by artificial intelligence.
Pension and health benefits for union members have been raised, SAG-AFTRA said.
The deal also includes compensation increases for background performers, and critical contract provisions protecting diverse communities.
SAG-AFTRA will reveal the full details of the contract after the agreement is reviewed by the union’s national board.
WHEN WILL TV SHOWS AND MOVIES RETURN?
Hollywood can resume production of its delayed projects and start working on new shows since both strikes to halt work have come to an end.
This could mean that films like “Gladiator 2” and “Ghostbusters” and the latest seasons of shows like “Billions”, “Stranger Things” and “Abbott Elementary”, which were delayed due to the walkout, can get back on track.
But viewers will have to wait a bit longer for major productions like the “Mission: Impossible” franchise and Disney’s live-action remake of animated classic “Snow White”, which were delayed till 2025.
(Reporting by Yuvraj Malik and Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
