SAG-AFTRA Strike Negotiations with Major Studios Continue, Key Issues Remain Unresolved Including AI and Streaming Revenue

Progress made in recent talks but major gaps remain between SAG-AFTRA and major studios over AI use, pay increases, and streaming revenue share; urgent pressure mounting as strike enters 110th day with potential impact on TV seasons and 2024 summer movie slate.

SAG-AFTRA remains in negotiations with major studios over several unresolved issues, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI), increases in pay, and sharing revenue from streaming services. The strike is currently in its 110th day, with significant pressure to resolve the dispute to avoid further impact on TV seasons and the 2024 summer movie slate.
Recent talks have seen progress but major gaps remain, particularly in how AI is used in the entertainment industry. The union is not looking to ban the use of AI in creating “digital doubles” but seeks guarantees of consent and minimum compensation for such use. Language restricting AI training on past work and giving the union a veto over AI uses are also sought.
If a deal is not reached within this week, the production of partial seasons of scripted network TV series may not be possible, warn the studios. Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA continues its “unity picket” at locations such as the Disney headquarters in Burbank.
On the pay increase front, SAG-AFTRA initially demanded an 11% increase in the minimum rate for the first year of the new contract, and the AMPTP offered a 5% increase. Both sides have made concessions with the AMPTP raising its offer to 7% and SAG-AFTRA reducing its demand to 9% for a first-year increase.
Negotiations over viewership-based residuals have seen SAG-AFTRA initially propose a 2% revenue share from a streaming show to be paid to performers, despite AMPTP's resistance. The proposal was later reduced to 1% by SAG-AFTRA, but studio CEOs continue to reject a revenue share at any percentage.
The implementation of AI remains a sticking point, with SAG-AFTRA pushing for minimum compensation, actor consent and limits to the use of AI replicas to a single production, not a franchise. However, studios have continued to seek consent for entire franchises.

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