Overview

• The 2023-24 TV season saw a loss of 1,319 writing jobs, a 42% decrease compared to the previous year, according to WGA data.
• High-level positions, including co-executive producers and showrunners, were hit hardest, with a 40% decline in jobs at these levels.
• The number of episodic TV series dropped by 37%, from 362 shows in 2022-23 to just 223 in 2023-24, contributing to the job contraction.
• Industry shifts, including declining cable subscriptions and Wall Street-driven cuts in streaming content, are cited as major factors in the downturn.
• The WGA’s new contract offers hope for future job recovery, though the industry remains in flux as writers also face challenges in film screenwriting.