The ongoing strike by Hollywood actors and writers has brought the entertainment industry to a standstill, with major movies delayed, TV shows cancelled, and box office revenues plummeting. The strike, which started in June 2023, is the result of a dispute over residuals, royalties, and streaming rights for the creative workers who produce the content that millions of viewers consume. Here are some of the key impacts of the strike on Hollywood and beyond.
Movies underperforming without promotion
One of the most visible effects of the strike is the lack of promotion for new movies, as actors are unable to participate in interviews, premieres, or social media campaigns. This has led to some films failing to meet their box office expectations, such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which made only $8 million in its opening weekend, despite having a star-studded voice cast including Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, Maya Rudolph, and Ice Cube. Another example is Strays, a comedy about a foul-mouthed dog voiced by Will Ferrell and his owner played by Jamie Foxx, which also flopped with just $8 million in its debut. Even DC’s Blue Beetle, which was expected to be a hit with Latino audiences, saw the worst opening ever for a DC film with only $12 million.
TV shows cancelled or postponed indefinitely
The strike has also affected the production and scheduling of TV shows, as writers are unable to work on scripts and actors are unable to film new episodes. Some shows have been cancelled altogether, such as Amazon’s queer spin on A League of Their Own, which was axed after only one season due to the strike.
Others have been postponed indefinitely, such as Grey’s Anatomy and NCIS, which were supposed to return for their 19th and 20th seasons respectively in September 2023. Instead, networks have resorted to airing game shows, reality shows, or imported shows to fill the gaps. For example, CBS has replaced NCIS with Snake Oil, a game show hosted by David Spade where contestants have to sell fake products to unsuspecting customers.
Streaming services losing subscribers and content
The strike has also hit the streaming services hard, as they are losing subscribers and content due to the lack of new releases and original shows. According to a report by Variety, Netflix has lost 2 million subscribers in the US in the third quarter of 2023, while Disney+ has lost 1.5 million. The report also states that both services have seen a decline in their content libraries, as they are unable to license new movies or shows from studios or independent producers. For example, Netflix has lost the rights to stream popular titles such as The Office, Friends, and Harry Potter, while Disney+ has lost the rights to stream Marvel and Star Wars movies.
Industry workers facing financial hardship and uncertainty
The strike has also taken a toll on the thousands of industry workers who depend on the entertainment business for their livelihoods. According to a survey by The Hollywood Reporter, 75% of workers have experienced a loss of income due to the strike, while 50% have experienced a loss of health insurance or other benefits. The survey also reveals that 40% of workers have considered leaving the industry or relocating to another state or country due to the strike. The strike has also affected workers in related sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and transportation, as fewer visitors are coming to Los Angeles or other filming locations.
Future prospects and potential solutions
The strike has been described as one of the worst crises in Hollywood history, with no clear end in sight. However, there have been some signs of hope and progress in recent weeks. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has announced that it will resume negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) this week, after reaching a tentative agreement with several smaller studios and independent producers.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has also expressed its willingness to join the talks with the AMPTP, after holding several rallies and demonstrations across the country. The main issues that both unions are fighting for are higher residuals for streaming platforms, more transparency and accountability for streaming revenues, and better working conditions and diversity for writers and actors.
