SAG-AFTRA Approves Deal Allowing Actors To Appear On Multiple Shows

You might start seeing a lot more of your favorite TV actors, as their union on Saturday approved a deal allowing them to appear on multiple shows at the same time.

SAG-AFTRA has been pushing for a decade to scale back so-called “exclusivity” deals, which prevent TV series regulars from taking other jobs while on hiatus.

In the deal approved by the union's national council on Saturday, producers will be required to give TV actors a three-month window after each season in which they can take any job. This means that the stars of the shows may start appearing more often as guests – or even as regulars – on shows on other platforms and networks. The new agreement will apply to work performed under contracts entered into on or after January 1.

The agreement also includes a limitation on the reasons a producer can prevent a series regular from accepting an appearance on another program.

SAG-AFTRA explained the financial component as follows: "An increase in exclusivity financial breaks of $15,000 per week or per episode for half-hour programs and $20,000 per week or per episode for programs of one hour or more at $65,000 per week or per episode for programs of half an hour and $70,000 per week or per hour for programs of one hour or more."

The deal came after the union forced the issue, with a bill in Sacramento that would have essentially eliminated exclusivity provisions. This bill, AB 437, has emerged poised to pass the Legislative Assembly, prompting the Alliance of Film and Television Producers - which negotiates on behalf of the studios - to seek a negotiated solution. p>

The invoice will now be withdrawn.

The Motion Picture Association had opposed the legislation, which it said would make it harder to coordinate schedules and could lead to fewer TV shows being renewed for multiple seasons.

The union argued that in today's television environment — with a profusion of shows and platforms — exclusivity is far less important than it was in the days of the three broadcast networks.

Earlier this month, SAG-AFTRA struck a similar deal with Netflix. This agreement also creates a mandatory three-month conflict-free window and sets limits on option periods. The actors union has also complained that actors can be left in limbo for months or years while a network decides whether or not to renew a show. The Netflix agreement limits these option periods to 18 months after the start of principal photography for a season. It also institutes a requirement that filming begin within two months of exercising the option.

The agreement with AMPTP does not address option periods, although this may be resolved when the contract is negotiated next year.

Comments