Writers Guild of America says writing jobs in TV industry have taken a massive hit.

The Writers Guild of America said that writing jobs in Hollywood’s TV industry have taken a massive hit, as they fell by 42% in the fall of 2023-2024. According to WGA, there were only 1,319 writing jobs in 2023-24, compared to 1,819 in 2022 – 2023. This comes after the WGA spent months fighting the studios for a new contract, something the guild said was partly to blame for the new statistics. Other reasons included the decline in original programming across the cable networks, and streamers pulling back from the number of shows as Wall Street demands quicker streaming platform profits.

The WGA strikes ran from May to September 2023, essentially paralysing Hollywood, with several big projects being delayed leading to greater costs in production, and consequently led to massive losses. While the Directors Guild of America reached a deal with media companies, actors with SAGAFTRA joined writers on the picket lines with its own strike that ran from July through November 2023. As a result of the strikes, a big slew of scripted shows was either trimmed or outright cancelled, with guild data indicating that about 37% fewer WGA-covered episodic TV series aired in the 2023-2024 season.

As per guild data, 642 writing jobs were lost at the co-executive producer or higher level — a decline of 40% year over year — while lower-level positions, such as staff writers, story editors and executive story editors, fell by 378 positions, or 46%. Mid-level positions, from co-producers to consulting/supervising producers, declined by 42%, or 299 positions.

Screenwriting jobs has also declined, but to a lesser degree, with screenwriter earnings down 6% for the first three quarters of 2024 and the number of screenwriters working down 15%.

“Writing careers have always been difficult to access and sustain, but the contraction has made it especially challenging. We are all subject to the decisions of the companies that control this industry, who have pulled back spending on content based on the demands of Wall Street. Compounding that, the current administration seems intent on causing economic chaos and undermining our democracy”, the WGA said in an email.

The report was sent to members by the WGA West board of directors and WGA East council.

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