Los Angeles Times: Dr. Dave Smith Comments on Hollywood Writers' Strike

Today’s digital revolution has brought life back to TV production. With more distribution models such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, a writers’ strike puts more at risk for studios and the writers. For Los Angeles, a writers’ strike could potentially affect the local economy and impact jobs outside of the entertainment industry. In 2019, the industry’s network and streaming services produced 532 scripted shows. Employment for film writers has dramatically changed over the last 20 years, increasing the opportunity for higher earnings and additional avenues of revenue.

A major change for the industry are the types of companies enter the Hollywood market. New tech giants, such as Amazon and Apple, constantly need new content and demand for scripts, but these companies have little history dealing with unions. “They both need each other in the end, but when there is some consolidation it can lead to a little more leverage,” said David Smith, a professor of economics at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. “There is almost a frenzy in terms of production and the need for writers during these times, so that dynamic is at play.” Read more.