TV Writers Face Tough Times in 2023-24

The 2023-24 TV season brought some harsh news for writers. There were 1, 300 fewer jobs available compared to the previous year. This drop happened despite the end of the 2023 strikes in Hollywood. The Writers Guild of America shared these numbers. They showed a big drop in jobs at all levels. The highest-level writers, like co-executive producers and showrunners, saw the biggest loss. There were 642 fewer jobs in this group. That is a 40 percent drop. Lower-level writers, such as staff writers and story editors, also faced a big hit. There were 378 fewer jobs, a 46 percent decrease. Mid-level positions, like co-producers and consulting producers, had 299 fewer jobs, a 42 percent decline. The total number of TV writing jobs last season was 1, 819. This is a 42 percent drop from the 2022-23 season. Even the COVID season of 2019-20 had more jobs, with 2, 722 writers employed. The Writers Guild of America blamed this drop on several factors. They pointed to the decline in cable TV subscriptions and programming. Streaming services also played a role. They started many series but then cut back to show profits to Wall Street. The guild also criticized the studios' unwillingness to negotiate a fair deal in 2023. This shortened the 2023-24 TV season. The strikes in 2023 affected the TV industry a lot. The Writers Guild of America strike ran from May to September. The Directors Guild of America reached a deal, but actors also went on strike. The SAG-AFTRA strike ran from July to November. These strikes led to fewer episodes and canceled pickups. About 37 percent fewer WGA-covered episodic series aired in 2023-24. The guild sent this report to its members. They warned that writing careers are already hard. The current economic situation makes it even tougher. The guild hopes that their new contract with the studios will help employment bounce back. It is not just TV writers who are struggling. Movie writers are also facing challenges. The number of WGA-covered films has been stable. However, the number of screenwriters working has dropped by 15 percent. Screenwriter earnings are down by 6 percent. This shows that the industry is facing a tough time overall. The guild is working to ensure that the jobs available are good ones. They are also trying to prevent further downsizing.