Wouldn’t it be nice if, instead of producing triple-A projects that no one watches, talks about, or knows exist, streamers had to air independently made projects, too? Well, the big three talent agencies seem to think so, and they’d like the federal government to force the studios’ hands. Per The New York Times, CAA, UTA, WME, and a host of Hollywood power players have combined into a Voltron of client and consumer interests known as the American Entertainment Alliance. First order of business: Passing legislation that would force the streamers to spend at least 50% of their production budgets on independent productions. What else are they going to spend it on? An Electric State sequel?
This is hardly a new concept. In fact, many of the most successful, longest-running, and beloved shows of all time were the products of independent studios. Shows like Seinfeld (Castle Rock), Roseanne (Carsey-Werner), and Mary Tyler Moore (MTM Enterprises) were produced by studios unaffiliated with the network, but repealing the anti-monopolization Financial Interest and Syndication Rules (Fin-Syn) in the ’90s, entertainment companies moved productions in-house. Fin-Syn led to the original golden age of TV throughout the ’70s and ’80s. However, deregulators found a champion in President Ronald Regan, and the FCC spent the better part of a decade trying to eliminate the rules. They finally succeeded in 1993, setting us on a path to the wonderful, simple, and affordable entertainment landscape we have today.
At this point, it’s clear that the streamers—Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and Skydance—cannot be trusted to produce television shows that can be replicated week after week for years on end. They’re more into the six-episode season once every few years, which puts enormous strain on the industry because there are simply fewer things to produce and watch. The Times reports that television production has declined 40% since 2022, so it seems that the studios aren’t interested in producing more television since signing new contracts with writers and actors. Instead, it’s been investing in AI and microdramas, which don’t seem to be the future of entertainment they thought.
In addition to the Big Three talent agencies, the group also counts super producers Jason Blum, Mark Burnett, Peter Chernin, Ron Howard, and Brian Grazer as members. The idea is that if streamers had to bid on shows in an open marketplace, there would be more incentive to promote and support the shows, as opposed to leaving them to die on the digital vine. The group also believes it would foster a more competitive marketplace, increase production and consumer choice, and, say it with us, create more jobs.
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