Share of TV show writers working at MBA minimum in the U.S. 2013-2022, by job title

In the 2021-22 TV season, nearly half of TV show writers in the U.S. worked at the Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA), up from one third of writers recorded in the 2013-14 season. Staff writers and story editors are particularly affected by the minimum agreed wage that has been established in May 2020 and expired three years later.

Devalued work due to the shift to streaming

As the MBA only applied to broadcast TV, but more writers and producers are now employed by streaming services than previously, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) accused companies such as Netflix and Disney of building lower employment periods as the episodes-per-season output declined in the streaming world. The highest disparity between median weeks worked in the streaming and broadcast TV segments was among consulting producers and executive story editors.

WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes

After MBA's expiration on May 1, 2023, the WGA went on strike as they did not reach a satisfactory agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) that represents TV and film production companies. The major sticking points not only include minimum earnings, but also lower residuals from reruns on streaming services, as well as the lack of AI regulations in the TV and film industry. In mid-July 2023, Hollywood’s screen actors joined the movement pointing out similar issues.