Mikey Campbell
Apple this week agreed to terms outlined by the Writers Guild of America's master contract that provide its writers with a better set of benefits than directed by the body's minimum guidelines, a strategy expected to impact future WGA negotiations with competing streaming services.
Announced by WGA West president David A. Goodman and executive director David Young in a letter to members on Thursday, Apple's accord could represent a paradigm shift for the WGA's more than 14,000 members.
In particular, Apple has agreed to terms that are above the WGA's baseline for free-to-stream online content, reports Variety. Under the contract, Apple writers who create material that airs for free are in line to receive script fees, weekly payments, residuals and other compensation not detailed in the current master document.
Writers only benefit from the agreement when they perform work for Apple, or more specifically the tech giant's Apple Development video arm.
Goodman and Young believe the new arrangement could play a pivotal role in brokering deals with other streaming content providers when negotiations for a successor deal commence. The existing WGA contract covering writers is set to expire on May 1, 2020.
"First, the current MBA does not contain minimums or residuals for projects on free-to-consumer services (think Crackle)," the pair said. "Terms have to be negotiated on a writer by writer basis. Except, now, at Apple."
With initial backing from Apple, WGA appears ready to push companies like Facebook for similar agreements covering their writing staff. Though "almost all" guild-covered internet content has been presented by services marketing subscription models, certain producers are starting to capitalize on free offerings, Goodman and Young said.
"As this market develops, it will be imperative to negotiate MBA protections for writers creating content for such services," the letter reads. "Our Apple deal moves us in that direction while the 2020 negotiations are still two years away."
Apple currently fields subscription-based media offerings under the Apple Music banner with original shows like "Carpool Karaoke" and "Planet of the Apps" airing on its homegrown service. However, the company last month began to stream weekly reruns of "Carpool" for free through its TV app for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV.
The tech giant is reportedly building out its slate of original programming involving big Hollywood names including M. Night Shyamalan, Kristen Wiig, J.J. Abrams, Reese Witherspoon and more. When, and how, the company intends to release the media cache is unknown, though Apple Music and the TV app are the most probable outlets..
Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider Staff
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
11 Comments
This is a plus for writers. The WGA's MBA doesn't include a lot of important stuff, including many streaming platforms as well as the entire category of animation. That's right, if you write SHREK 2, you don't get residuals, even though animation is 25% of the box office. And streaming platforms are obviously the future, rather than traditional networks. Heck, even cable channels make you negotiate your own back end (if you get any) in many cases. So, bravo Apple, for doing a positive thing.
Although to be frank, Apple is going after such high profile talent, they probably had to sign the MBA in order to get the show runners to say yes. Still, they did it. Good for Apple. Come on, everybody else. You can't make content without writers. It's in your interest to make the job offering attractive to talent.
I wonder what Apple's angle is here. They don't give money away for free. Not ever.
Cool! Maybe next they'll make a deal with the Clothworkers Guild, the Candlemakers Guild, and Scientific Instrument Makers Guild.