Greg Berlanti. J.J. Abrams. Bill Lawrence. Mindy Kaling. These are just a few of the big names in television who have recently had their deals suspended by Warner Bros. Television Group, as reported on September 7. This news came as a shock to some, who were unaware that these prominent figures were still receiving paychecks during the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. It also serves as a warning sign for others in the industry, as sources predict that more suspensions will follow, particularly among non-writing executive producers.
The first wave of suspensions occurred in the spring, affecting a wide range of writers and producers. Notable names like Mike Schur, Sam Esmail, Chuck Lorre, and John Wells had their deals suspended. More recently, Dan Fogelman, Dan Levy, Donald Glover, Lisa Joy, and Jonah Nolan have also faced suspensions. The decision to suspend or continue paying these individuals was based on a few factors. If they were actively working on projects in post-production or production, and were willing to take on non-writing roles, they continued to receive payment. However, those without current projects or who did not wish to work were not paid.
There are also some high-profile producers who have specific deal language in their contracts, known as a selectivity clause, which protects them from suspension unless other top producers are suspended as well. This may explain why multiple suspensions occurred simultaneously.
The rationale behind Warner Bros. Television Group’s decision to keep some writer-driven pods active during the strike was rooted in the ongoing nature of their projects. Some were attached to animation and reality shows, while others were still providing post-production services for key shows. Notable names like Shonda Rhimes and the Duffer brothers, who have deals with Netflix, are among those whose deals remain active. Paramount Global-owned studios have also kept Jerry Bruckheimer and Taylor Sheridan’s production deals intact. However, it is expected that these deals will be suspended once post-production work is completed.
Other major studios, such as Paramount, Disney, and Amazon, are also expected to follow suit in suspending deals. Disney, in particular, has been lenient with their non-writing executive producer deals, but this is predicted to change. Similarly, Amazon will likely suspend deals that haven’t already been suspended. Lionsgate has already suspended all of their deals, and Sony TV suspended all of their writers back in May, but they have continued to provide weekly deals for producing services.
Studio executives are facing tough decisions regarding the payment of employees at suspended pods. Greg Berlanti, for example, is reportedly still paying his staff at this time. He, along with Ryan Murphy, who had their deals at Netflix expire, have also pledged $500,000 each for strike relief funds. These decisions are driven by the reality that studios cannot continue to fund work that cannot be completed, especially after months of strikes.
While many industry watchers expected studios to terminate deals due to force majeure clauses, this has not yet happened. If the strike persists, terminations may become unavoidable, particularly for more vulnerable studios. However, for now, most impacted deals have been suspended rather than terminated, and many will come with extensions to make up for lost time. Many studio and streaming sources explain that these deals had already been carefully evaluated prior to the strike and are ones that they are eager to maintain once the strikes are over.
Additionally, optics play a role in the decision-making process. Studios are now more inclined to let deals expire rather than actively terminating them, as the industry climate is already tense. Another wave of bad optics would be detrimental, and studios need a resolution to be reached.
In conclusion, the suspension of high-profile deals at Warner Bros. Television Group, including those of Greg Berlanti, J.J. Abrams, Bill Lawrence, and Mindy Kaling, has sent shockwaves through the industry. More suspensions are expected to follow, primarily among non-writing executive producers. Despite initial predictions, terminations under force majeure clauses have not been widespread. The decision to suspend or continue paying employees is complicated and depends on several factors, including ongoing projects, selectivity clauses, and the desire to avoid further negative optics. As the strike continues, the future of these deals remains uncertain, but studios are hopeful for a resolution that allows them to continue working with their valued partners in television production.
