Q&A: Hollywood writers' strike

The US film and TV industry is in turmoil because its writers have gone on strike. Why have they taken industrial action, and how will it affect the movies and programmes we watch?

WHO IS ON STRIKE?

The 12,000 members of the Writers' Guild of America (WGA), the official union representing writers in the film, TV and new media industries.

Founded in 1933, the guild has branches on the West and East coasts. The last major WGA strike in 1988 lasted 22 weeks, costing the industry an estimated $500m.

WHY ARE THEY STRIKING?

The WGA wants to renegotiate its contract with the Hollywood studios over the amount of money they receive from DVD sales.

They also want more money from films and shows that can be downloaded onto computers, mobile phones and other devices.

Writers receive payments, called residuals, every time a TV show they have written is repeated.

They also get a small residual when their work is sold on DVD - currently around 0.3% of each DVD sold.

WHAT CAUSED THE STRIKE?

A breakdown in talks over a new contract to replace the previous deal, which expired on 31 October.  

The WGA had been seeking to double the amount of money its members received from DVD sales, but had agreed to lower their demands.

No agreement could be reached, however, about payments for shows made available to stream or download online.

WHAT DO THE STUDIOS SAY?

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) claims writers are already compensated for digital downloads.

It has also said a deal on internet streaming was on the table when the strike began on 5 November.

It says digital distribution is still in its infancy and that it is too early to judge how successful it will be.

The studios, meanwhile, say higher royalties for writers on new media products will stifle growth at a time of increasing production costs.

WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED?

Late-night talk shows, which rely on writers for their scripts and jokes, were the first to go off the air.

Sitcoms and primetime dramas have also been affected, with some actors refusing to cross picket lines and others voicing support for the strikers.

The Fox network has postponed production on the next series of 24, while other shows - Desperate Housewives, for example - have run out of scripts.

Film production remains unaffected for now, though, as the studios took care to stockpile scripts before the strike began.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Concerted efforts are being made behind the scenes to bring the two parties back to the table.

In the meantime, it is the technicians and production staff whose livelihoods are most at risk.

Stoppages have put hundreds of crew members out of work, prompting California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to call for a settlement.

US viewers can expect a rise in unscripted reality shows, news programmes and repeats if the stand-off continues.

It will be some time, however, before viewers outside the US notice any sizeable change to their regular TV viewing.