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One of my favorite programs on NPR is Tom Ashbrook’s OnPoint (9am in Iowa on 640AM). On Monday they discussed an interesting situation going on in Hollywood. Twenty years ago writers in Hollywood went on strike because they made no royalties off of video rental sales (remember VHS?). The issue now - the Internet.

As everything goes online - from trailers to scenes to full episodes and movies - the new distribution models are creating an interesting debate. If NBC makes money by showing The Office online do the writers get a cut? They get a cut from DVD sales (although they are asking for more) - should they not get a cut from online revenue? NBC can claim they do not want to guarantee a cut because the model is not proven nor are the distribution methods.

I agree with Michael Winship, President of the Writers Guild of America. If the network / studio makes money using these new distribution methods than the writers should get a percentage.

If the writers don’t get what they want - they will go on strike. TV shows will run reruns and late night shows will be stagnant. We’ll get to settle for more reality shows it appears.

What do you think?

[Update] It looks like the strike is looming - 90% of WGA (Writer’s Guild of America) have voted to authorize the strike. Read

Listen to Hollywood Showdown on OnPoint (Windows Media and Real Media)

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Flickr photo from dogwelder

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