Hollywood writers strike over pay in streaming era

Television and movie writers went on strike Tuesday for the first time in 15 years after contract negotiations with studios and streaming services failed, as the Writers Guild of America says their members are not being fairly compensated in the streaming era. 

Writers are facing an "existential crisis," the guild says. "The companies' behavior has created a gig economy inside a union workforce, and their immovable stance in this negotiation has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing."

The guild also says that studios and streaming services are refusing to guarantee weekly employment for episodic television or create a "day rate" for comedy. 

The shutdown has been anticipated for months and nearly 98% of members voted for a strike. The last guild strike started in 2007 and ended after 100 days in 2008.

The writers' demands largely focus on payments for streamed content, but other demands include regulating the use of artificial intelligence and better pension and healthcare contributions.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.