While high-profile movies like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are still opening, and viewers can tune in to watch new seasons of “The Bear” and other TV series, there’s no doubt that the world of entertainment is in turmoil.
With the Writers Guild of America strike continuing, and actors joining in with their own Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike, work has halted on any number of movies and TV series. Those involved are predicting the strikes aren’t likely to be settled anytime soon, as the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) hasn’t been engaging in negotiation with writers and actors to settle disputes that include compensation from streaming, the use of artificial intelligence, and more issues.
Adding to the uncertain mood are conflicting claims about streaming, which has had a dramatic impact not just on viewers who enjoy checking out Netflix or Disney Plus, but on the entertainment economy itself.
While writers and actors say that streaming services saw their business boom during pandemic lockdowns, other reports indicate that a history of spending to build those services hasn’t led to profitability, and has in fact resulted in some financial cutbacks and belt-tightening by streaming services.
Though the long-range outlook is hard to predict, in the near future, at least, these unsettled times mean changes are on the way. Here’s a look at some of what consumers can expect.
Fall TV schedule upheaval: While viewers may have to wait to see new episodes of favorite scripted comedies and dramas, networks are cobbling together fall 2023 schedules that are a mishmash of repurposed content, animated series, and reality shows.
That may be great news for Oregonians who want to continue the streak of locals being cast in reality fare (recent examples include “Love Is Blind,” “MasterChef,” and “Is It Cake, Too?”).
As Deadline reports, reality, game and variety shows are covered by a different agreement than the one that is central to the writers and actors’ strikes. That means, as Deadline says, that networks that saw their scripted slates “decimated” will be able to go ahead with production on unscripted series.
That means, for example, that shows such as “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice” can film, even though actors may be involved as judges.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that while actors who are members of SAG-AFTRA may work on such shows as “Dancing With the Stars” and some animated series, actors may choose not to, as a show of solidarity.
At this point, Fox’s fall 2023 schedule is an example of a network going all-in with a supposed “strike-proof” lineup that includes more from Gordon Ramsay, the chef-restaurateur turned TV personality, including a new season of “Hell’s Kitchen” and the return of “Kitchen Nightmares.”
Other returning shows include “The Masked Singer,” “Lego Masters,” animated standbys such as “The Simpsons,” “Bob’s Burgers” and “Family Guy,” and a new animated comedy, “Krapopolis,” from Dan Harmon.
The CBS network is also loading up its 2023 fall schedule with unscripted offerings, including such game shows such as “Let’s Make a Deal Primetime” and “The Price Is Right At Night,” along with returning reality shows “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race” and “Big Brother.”
In another twist, while viewers may have to wait for new episodes of, for example, the Portland-set “So Help Me Todd,” CBS will broadcast shows that had been available elsewhere, such as the Paramount Plus drama, “SEAL Team,” and the broadcast network premiere of the hit “Yellowstone,” which airs new episodes on the Paramount cable network, and is available to stream on services such as Peacock and Philo.
Related: ‘Yellowstone’ will end with final Season 5 episodes, as Paramount announces new sequel series
Streaming subscriptions price changes: As several entertainment news sites recently reported, Netflix is no longer offering new subscribers its $9.99 per month ad-free plan, which had been the cheapest option for an ad-free package. That move means that the cheapest ad-free plan is $15.49 per month. The standard plan that includes ads is $6.99 per month, and the premium ad-free plan is $19.99 per month.
Elsewhere, NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service is raising prices for new subscribers, up $1 for Peacock Premium and $2 for Premium Plus monthly plans. As CNET reports, the monthly Peacock Premium will cost $6 per month, and Premium Plus is $12 per month. Some subscribers with Xfinity Internet or Spectrum receive free Peacock Premium.
Other streaming services that have recently increased monthly subscription prices include Paramount Plus and Starz.
More of our coverage:
Writers Guild strike impacting TV and film production in Oregon, elsewhere: ‘It has gone very quiet’
As the writers strike disrupts TV production, here are 10 shows to catch up on
— Kristi Turnquist
503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist
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