Hollywood writers and studio executives engaged in a third consecutive day of discussions on Friday, with plans to continue talks on Saturday in an effort to resolve a work stoppage that has halted film and TV production for several months.
As the strike entered its 144th day, no agreement was announced, leaving workers in the entertainment industry anxiously awaiting news of the outcome. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) released a statement early on Saturday confirming that the two sides would reconvene.
Prominent industry figures, including Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav, and Comcast's NBCUniversal Studio Group Chairman Donna Langley, participated in the negotiations alongside the WGA.
Representatives for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, declined to comment.
While the discussions took place, union members responded to an appeal from WGA negotiators by showing up in large numbers to picket lines outside the studios.
Among those present outside Netflix on Friday was Matthew Weiner, the creator and writer of "Mad Men," who expressed optimism about the progress being made in the recent talks.
"I'm hopeful," Weiner said, regarding the potential resolution of the strike. "I would like to go back to work and I would like to start mending these relationships."
Approximately 11,500 WGA members went on strike in May, demanding higher pay and residuals in the streaming TV era, as well as limitations on the use of artificial intelligence.
Al Septien, a producer and WGA member who was also picketing outside Netflix, emphasized the importance of reaching a fair and favorable contract for the writers before returning to work.
"We've been out here a long time. We don't want to settle for an unfair and inadequate contract," he stated.
In addition to the writers' strike, the SAG-AFTRA actors union has also walked off the job in July, further exacerbating the industry's labor disputes.
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