Hollywood writers’ strike: yawn
p2pnet news | TV:- The Hollywood writers’ strike may be a big deal for the writers and Hollywood, plus a few dedicated couch potatoes. And advertisers won’t be overjoyed.
“Repeats, or reruns, are not appealing to advertisers as they generally draw lower ratings than fresh episodes,” says Reuters.
But for the rest of us, it’s business as usual. More or less 
“Wall Street reacted in atypical fashion to news of the writers strike Monday,” says the San Francisco Chronicle.
“It ignored it.
“Shares in companies that could get hurt by the television and film writers strike that started at midnight Sunday either rose or fell only slightly on Monday. CBS, which would take the most direct hit because it gets almost two-thirds of its revenue from television, fell 7 cents, or 0.25 percent, to $27.60.”
So what’ll you be missing?
Grey’s Anatomy is unscathed, says the New York Times, “Scofield will continue to scowl his way through ‘Prison Break,’ House will limp and the Housewives will bicker” and, “all of those crime-solving, clue-unearthing, cold-case-cracking law enforcers will keep on digging – at least for another month or two, thanks to a backlog of about half a dozen episodes already filmed.”
But, “not all of prime-time programming was able to soldier on,” says the story.
“Production shut down on shows including ‘Two and a Half Men,’ ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and ‘Rules of Engagement,’ all on CBS, and ‘ ‘Til’ Death’ on Fox, putting hundreds of electricians, costumers, make-up artists, casting directors and actors out of work.”
However, the San Francisco Chronicle has credit rating agency Fitch Ratings saying a prolonged strike, “could impact specific sub-segments of the industry.”
Six sub-sectors depend on the Writers Guild, it says: broadcast TV networks, TV studios, cable TV networks, movie studios, movie exhibitors and the TV broadcast affiliates.
And of these, “broadcast TV networks and TV studios would be hardest hit,” says the story, going on:
“The major players in this sector include News Corp., CBS, Disney, General Electric, Time Warner (Warner Bros. studio, 50 percent of CW Network), and Sony.”
Fitch said, “cable TV networks will not be affected because they generally show syndicated programs, live news and sports, and reality shows. The major cable networks are owned by Viacom, Disney, Time Warner and News Corp”.
Meanwhile, how long is a strike likely to continue?
The studios have been stock-piling months in anticipation of the strike, say reports.
Are they merely being cautious, or do they know something we don’t?
Also See:
writers’ strike – On Noooo! Hollywood writers strike!, November 5, 2007
Reuters – Advertisers watch for TV reruns as strike starts, November 6, 2007
San Francisco Chronicle – Writers strike makes nary a ripple on Wall Street, November 6, 2007
New York Times – Despite Strike, Prime-Time TV Marches On, November 6, 2007
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November 6th, 2007 at 9:35 am
I really think these writers are being selfish. Im sorry… this is the baseball strike all over again. No one will care. My show 24 will be affected if this goes on for a while, but it doesnt mean the show wont happen, it will just be delayed, as with everything else. We could end up having a great ‘08 summer with new shows, and some of the great movies coming out with the Dark Knight.
I dont care. If these writers want more money, then what about the costume department. What about the set design people. Personal Assistants? I can keep going. They are being selfish, and im waiting for Hollywood to shove them underneath a bed, and start using something else.
But hey… WWE isnt affected by this! EAT THAT WRITERS GUILD!! lol… quality writers on that show… LOL :::end of sarcasm….:::
November 6th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Cywolve, you’re a moron and clearly very uninformed–YOU are the selfish one. These writers deserve more money for DVD and streaming video than what they are getting. INstead the selfish media conglomerates are lining their pokets with hundreds of millions of dollars. These writers conceived these shows–these writers are the FOUNDATIONS of these shows, so if they show is woildly successful they are the first ones who deserve to reap the benefits.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Thes bigs media corporations are riping off every one artists and the public a like. They are damaging our society. We can not and should not tolerate parasites like them in our society.
Let’s help thes guys kick their buts!
November 6th, 2007 at 11:58 am
“My show 24 will be affected if this goes on for a while”
You can take your show and pass it into your ass parasite!
November 6th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Wow… way to back your stuff up guys as not putting in a name or so.
Second… do they deserve money, sure… but ITS ENTERTAINMENT.
I read one person who said that maybe this is the time to read books rather than spending so much time on TV and on Movies. I give a heck of a lot more credit to people who write books versus 20-40 writers for one show. When book writers start to picket, then sure, we need to listen… but the fact still remains… they dont need anymore money. And hollywood doesnt need anymore money. I havent payed 9 bucks to see a movie because its a rip-off.
I could also throw out and be like its people who download these movie and tv shows that made them picket. Because maybe if we didnt download the stuff, Hollywood wouldnt be as stingy to them. So think of that too.
“Cywolve, you’re a moron and clearly very uninformed–YOU are the selfish one. These writers deserve more money for DVD and streaming video than what they are getting. INstead the selfish media conglomerates are lining their pokets with hundreds of millions of dollars. These writers conceived these shows–these writers are the FOUNDATIONS of these shows, so if they show is woildly successful they are the first ones who deserve to reap the benefits.”
Tell that to artists too…. music artists are more affected by the big 4, than these writers are to hollywood. Maybe you need to get more informed.
““My show 24 will be affected if this goes on for a while”
You can take your show and pass it into your ass parasite!”
As for you… you make no sence.
If the average person supports these writers… who are the ones truly affected by this? Hollywood? No… writers? No… US! They will hit the P2P people harder because they will need more money to support the writers, so they will go after the people who steal. I want to support them, I really do, but you have to look at the picture bigger. If Hollywood gives in… movie costs will inflate, cable prices will inflate, and they will go after the P2P like mad. Because do you really think Hollywood Exec’s will give up their hard earned cash to help the writers out? Nope… so dont tell me im not informed. Im just looking at the picture a lot farther down the road.
November 7th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
What surprises me is that with all of these kinds of strikes, it’s blatantly, been-under-a-rock obvious that without writers, these shows simply don’t happen – yet where’s the respect? Instead of paying these guys a decent amount, they’re giving millions to the stars who don’t need it.
Wake up Hollywood, you stupid parasites.
November 13th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
I really don’t care if these writers get any more money. If they want money from their Internet programing then give theme a cut for their net content and pay them less for there TV work. Times are changing and people need to realize that actors, writers and musicians will not make megabucks for there work like they did in the past. We don’t need Television studios, over paid writers snd record lables to produce entertaining content anymore. People like Tom Green are producing shows from their living rooms, Revision3 has plenty of shows on-line. These shows are better because if I miss the live broadcast I can always download the pod cast, no DVR or cable bill needed!