https://www.wgacontract2023.org/the-campaign/what-we-won
> Streaming data transparency: Companies agree to provide the Guild the total number of hours streamed, both domestically and internationally, of self-produced high budget streaming programs (e.g., a Netflix original series). Aggregated information can be shared.
Netflix wants to licence more content and sees value in demonstrating to the stock market that it has the best economics to do so.
If Netflix can get ten million viewers for a tier 2 general entertainment series, the IP holders should pick Netflix as a partner over a Paramount+ type service that can only get a few hundred thousand viewers.
It’s no coincidence this announcement is coming at a time when everyone is trying to reduce first party content spend.
Now writers (and actors, and anyone else) can use this information to better negotiate their worth with studios, rather than it being 1-sided.
https://www.wgacontract2023.org/the-campaign/what-we-won
> Streaming data transparency: Companies agree to provide the Guild the total number of hours streamed, both domestically and internationally, of self-produced high budget streaming programs (e.g., a Netflix original series). Aggregated information can be shared.
They've gotten a reputation for canceling shows. Creatives feel that it's unjustified, and I'm assuming they feel that it's justified based on the numbers the shows are pulling in and the cost.
And they feel that transparency about this is the best way to demonstrate their case. That the data backs up their decisions.
Most network show cancelations come with low rating that everyone can see. This is their equivalent of releasing ratings so people can see the reasons for their cancelations.