What Does The Writers Guild Of America Strike Mean For Web TV?

Back in 1988 when Writers Guild Of America workers walked off the job for 22 weeks, cable TV was given a chance to shine. And that it did, with unknown channels such as HBO and TNT becoming huge hits continue to maintain their popularity today. With the Writers Guild set to strike again tomorrow, the logical question would be whether this is an opportunity for web TV to be today's cable.

It would make sense that writers would flock to the web for work and video platforms such as Revver and Dailymotion would welcome the increased traffic and potential revenues. The only problem is the WGA strike rules, which are considerably murky to say the least, say writing for the web during the walk-out is against the rules.

Members who break these rules are liable to be penalized and writers who aren't yet members of the guild may be forbidden from ever joining. However, the WGA has designated some online video companies as signatory as others as not, possibly setting the stage for writers to head for the non-signatory platforms. Some also question whether this rule is actual policy or just posturing as the WGA has never had reason to police writing for the web before as it is still just a blip on their radar screen. And furthermore, if it is policy, it may very likely chance as the the workers move further into the strike.

Whether or not writing for the web could even be policed is arguable in itself because the ability to film content on the web unscripted is very simple when compared to filming for network television. One example used by Rob Barnett of My Damn Channel questions whether or not "a man on the street asking funny questions and getting goofy responses" is considered written or not.

At the moment it seems the politics of it all make it hard to say what will happen a few months down the road. But definitely keep an eye on web TV, we may see an upward climb.

Via Yahoo! News

November 4, 2007

What Does The Writers Guild Of America Strike Mean For Web TV?