SAG-AFTRA board gives nod to AMPTP deal, as further details of new contract emerge

Yellowstone

Further details have emerged of SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)’s tentative deal, which has been backed by the US actors union’s national board.

The proposed agreement, first revealed last week, was approved by 86% of SAG-AFTRA’s board over the weekend and will now head to membership for ratification. That vote is set to conclude on 5 December.

It is set to bring an end to the 118-day strike between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP, which represents companies ranging from Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney to Netflix and Apple TV+.

Specifics of the deal have not yet been revealed but the agreement does include a 7% raise in minimums for most, as well as a benefits and wages plan valued at $1bn.

Background actors will receive an 11% payrise, with dayrates rising from $187 to $207, while series performers will be handed a 153% rise on their relocation allowance, up to $5,000 per month.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), which remained one of the final hurdles during negotiations, will be allowed to be used for “digital replicas” on the understanding that actors grant permission and are paid.

A residuals pot of $40m is also to be created, which will be split between performers at all levels and those starring in streaming shows that are deemed to be a success.

The agreement, which comes a month after The Writers Guild of America (WGA) ended its strike, has seen a flurry of activity as preparations begin to get shows – mainly returning series – back into production within weeks.

Shows ranging from Stranger Things and Emily In Paris to Yellowstone and the NCIS franchise have been delayed, with broadcasters in particular looking to get production started quickly to ensure projects can get through their seasons before the end of the season in May.

The action, coupled with the now-settled WGA strike, has caused extensive delays to US studio programming and cost California billions of dollars in lost production expenses.