Writers Guild of America and Major Studios Reach Tentative Deal

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on Saturday, April 4, 2026. The deal comes one month before the union’s existing contract was scheduled to expire.

The AMPTP represents the major studios and streaming services, including NBCUniversal. The WGA represents thousands of writers across film, television, radio, and online media.

Terms of the Tentative Agreement

The provisional agreement establishes a four-year term for the 2026 Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA). This duration is longer than the typical three-year contract term usually seen in the industry.

A central component of the deal is the protection and sustainability of the writers’ health plan. The agreement includes a multi-million dollar contribution to the health plan and provides for increased company contributions across various areas, as well as increases to health contribution caps.

Additional provisions within the tentative contract include:

• Protections regarding the use of artificial intelligence.
• An increase in residuals for streaming content.
• Measures to address challenges related to free work.
• Builds upon gains achieved during the 2023 negotiations.

Official Responses

The WGA Negotiating Committee unanimously approved the agreement on Saturday. In a statement shared on Instagram, the guild noted that the deal protects writers’ health plan and puts it on a sustainable path, builds on gains from 2023, and helps address free work challenges.

The AMPTP confirmed the preliminary agreement in a statement, noting its intent to continue working toward agreements that support long-term industry stability.

Ratification Process

The agreement is currently provisional and requires several steps before it becomes finalized. It must first be approved by the Writers Guild of America West board and the Writers Guild of America East council.

Following leadership approval, the deal will be put to a ratification vote by the union’s membership. The WGA stated it will provide members with further details regarding the agreement in the coming days.

Industry Context

The swift conclusion of these negotiations is notable given the history of labor disputes in Hollywood. In 2023, the WGA engaged in a 148-day strike that caused significant disruptions to programming across the industry.

The current deal is viewed as a victory for the union, particularly regarding the securing of additional contributions for the pension plan and the health fund.