The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has released new job statistics, revealing a decline in television-writing jobs across various levels of the hierarchy. The numbers show that 1,319 fewer TV writer jobs were available for the 2023-24 season compared to the previous year.
At the top of the industry, co-executive producers and above lost 642 jobs, representing a 40% decrease. Lower-level writers, including staff writers, story editors, and executive story editors, also saw a significant decline, with 378 fewer jobs and a 46% drop in numbers.
Mid-level positions, such as co-producers to consulting/supervising producers, declined by 299 jobs, or 42%.
The WGA attributes the job losses to cord-cutting and corporate greed. The industry is undergoing a transition, with cable TV subscriptions and programming declining, while streaming services are demanding quicker profits.
The report also states that the studios’ reluctance to negotiate fair deals in 2023 contributed to the shortened TV season. The WGA writers strike, which ran from May to September 2023, had a significant impact on the industry, resulting in approximately 37% fewer WGA-covered episodic series airing in the 2023-24 season.
While solid data for the upcoming 2024-25 television season is still months away, the WGA’s new contract with studios may help employment bounce back. The union is also focused on ensuring that writers’ jobs are well-paying and secure, rather than just increasing numbers.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/tv-writer-jobs-down-wga-stats-1236188142