Studios Suspend Some First Look and Whole Deals Amid Writers Strike

writers strike

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Amazon, HBO, Warner Bros. TV, NBCUniversal and other major strike studios will suspend some first-look and bulk deals amid the ongoing writers’ strike.

Sources close to the situation tell Variety that Amazon will be sending out letters Monday to notify those affected. The studio has a few carveouts for creatives who do producing services but don’t write.

HBO is said to be making calls to alert people, but formal letters have not yet been sent.

On May 2, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) called a strike after failing to secure a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Pickets quickly erupted in New York City, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, and several productions were halted as a result of the strike.

While the news of the suspension of all business is somewhat staggering, it is by no means unexpected. According to multiple agency sources who spoke to Variety, she and her clients have been bracing for just that scenario since strike talks turned more serious. The contracts for such deals clearly state that participating in a “work action” such as a strike allows the studio to suspend a deal and stop payments.

One thing the agents stressed, however, is that no one has heard of a full close of deals at this time. Such a move would be much more drastic and would probably only be taken if the strike is prolonged. There has been speculation that such a move could allow the studios to strike expensive deals with big-name producers who don’t necessarily produce much content, but again, that’s a situation that could materialize weeks or months later.