Network Executives: Strike to Resolve Next Week

TV network executives familiar with the situation say the WGA is expected to present new terms to members over the weekend, and the writers strike could be resolved as early as next week.

However, even if WGA members approve the new terms over the weekend, the WGA could make the decision to uphold the strike until the contract has undergone a formal ratification process and is signed by the guild, according to Reuters. Should the strike end soon, it could avoid disrupting the Academy Awards show that will air on Feb. 24.
The strike has had an undeniable impact on television ratings. Prime time ratings in January among the 18-49 demo grew in basic cable by 6.8 percent, while falling by 11 percent over the big four broadcast networks, according to Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Michael Nathanson, writes AdAge.

The decline of broadcast audiences could continue or accelerate, should the strike continue, Nathanson says. If the strike ends quickly, the networks could produce as many as six new episodes of their best performing shows to air during May sweeps. On the other hand, the networks have cancelled a number of production deals. Getting new episodes produced could take anywhere from one to two months, depending on factors such as whether a show had already been scripted.

Some in the industry believe that the strike may have accelerated a slow-moving trend by the broadcast networks to begin changing how they approach the development and scheduling of shows.

An end to the strike would also mean that the networks would have time to develop programs to show to buyers and advertisers during the May upfronts. NBC, however, has said that it might hold smaller upfront planning sessions with media buyers and clients and forego the whole “dog and pony show,” according to NBCU chief Jeff Zucker.