Jan 15, 2008 2:21 am US/Pacific
Studios Cancel Writer Contracts, Strike Continues
With Contracts Cancelled, TV Shows Are All But Signed Off For This Season
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
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The writers' labor negotiations have cost fans many of their favorite tv shows this season and now it appears that they'll miss out on new favorites next year as well.
Charley Gallay/Getty Images
Four major studios have canceled dozens of writer contracts, effectively conceding that the current television season cannot be salvaged, it was reported Tuesday.
It was reported that the move signals that development of next season's crop of new shows also could be in jeopardy because of the 2-month-old writers strike.
Typically, January marks the start of pilot season when networks order new comedies and dramas, but with writers not working, networks do not have a pool of scripts from which to choose.
20th Century Fox Television, CBS Paramount Network Television, NBC Universal and Warner Bros. Television each confirmed they terminated development and production agreements, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Such arrangements typically cost the studios $500,000 to $2 million a year per writer in order to pay them and their staffs and overhead while they develop ideas for new TV shows, according to The Times.
It is unclear how many people will be affected by the so-called force majeure actions, which allow a studio unilaterally to cancel a writer's contract in the event of a crisis such as a strike. A production deal can involve a solo writer or a team of several people.
Overall, more than 65 deals with writers have been eliminated since Friday, according to The Times. ABC Studios late last week cut about 25 deals, and Monday CBS Paramount cut 15, Fox jettisoned about 14, NBC Universal rid nearly 10, and Warner Bros. trimmed three, people familiar with the situation reported
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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