As Hollywood picks up the pieces after a turbulent labor year, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has delivered a sobering update: TV writing jobs fell by 42% during the 2023–2024 season, marking one of the most dramatic year-over-year declines in the industry’s history.
According to a report released Friday, just 1,819 TV writing jobs were recorded this past season — down from 3,138 jobs in 2022–2023. It’s a staggering loss that underscores the continued instability for creatives in the entertainment workforce.
WGA TV Writing Jobs 2023–2024: Who Was Hit the Hardest ?
While the entire industry contracted, senior-level writers were particularly impacted. The guild reported a 40% drop in showrunner and co-executive producer roles, amounting to over 600 lost jobs. Mid-level writers lost nearly 300 positions, and entry-level and staff writers faced a 46% decline — the steepest percentage cut of any group.
This drastic reduction exceeds even the post-COVID writing downturn seen in 2020.
Why Did TV Writing Jobs Collapse?
In its breakdown of the WGA TV writing jobs 2023–2024 data, the Guild attributed the drop to a mix of post-strike effects, economic recalibration, and a broader corporate pivot toward cost efficiency.
“Studios chose Wall Street over writers,” the WGA stated bluntly.
The report points to media giants scaling back their content slates and emphasizing profit margins over production volume. The 2023 dual strikes — involving both WGA and SAG-AFTRA — led to shortened seasons, delayed series renewals, and outright cancellations.
The WGA says 37% fewer episodic series aired during the 2023–2024 season compared to the prior year.
The Road to Recovery — If It Comes
While the WGA’s 2023 contract delivered hard-won gains, it will take months — if not years — to determine whether those gains translate into lasting career stability.
For now, the Guild is focusing on protecting what remains. “This isn’t just about job loss,” said a WGA rep. “It’s about dignity and value. We’re fighting to preserve the very idea of a writing career.”
The Guild emphasized that rebuilding job numbers will be a long process, and noted that a full rebound might not materialize in the 2024–2025 cycle.
Feature Writers Also Feel the Squeeze
Although the headline numbers focus on television, the report shows that feature film screenwriters are also being squeezed. While the number of WGA-covered feature films hasn’t dropped, the number of screenwriters employed fell by 15%, and their aggregate earnings dropped 6%.
This suggests that even stable production volume isn’t necessarily protecting writer incomes — a trend the WGA says it’s closely monitoring.
What Comes Next for Writers and Studios?
As the industry emerges from the “Peak TV” era, the challenge shifts from quantity to quality — and sustainability. While studios consolidate and cut costs, the Guild aims to enforce new contractual protections and secure higher minimums across remaining projects.
“The companies may be producing fewer shows,” a WGA spokesperson said, “but our goal is to make sure the jobs they do create are good jobs.”
Stay tuned for more on WGA TV writing jobs 2023–2024 as the Guild prepares for its next contract enforcement campaign and begins early talks around the 2026 negotiation cycle.
