Union leaders for Hollywood writers have announced plans to meet with representatives for major studios to discuss restarting negotiations, marking the first official communication between the two sides since the strike began three months ago. In an email to members, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) revealed that the head of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) had requested a meeting on Friday to discuss the resumption of contract talks. The email also reminded members to be wary of rumors and assured them that important news would be shared directly from the union. It remains unclear whether a similar overture was extended to union leaders for Hollywood actors, who have been on strike since July 14.

In response to inquiries about potential talks with either guild, an AMPTP spokesperson stated that the alliance remains committed to finding mutually beneficial deals with both unions. However, an email to a representative from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), which represents striking film and television actors, was not immediately returned. This marks the first time that two major Hollywood unions have been on strike at the same time since 1960.

The AMPTP represents major studios such as Paramount, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Sony, Netflix, Amazon, Apple, and Disney. The strike, which began on May 1 for screenwriters and on July 14 for actors, has resulted in frozen production in Hollywood, disrupted the fall TV season, and led to the cancellation of new episodes for late-night shows. The issues behind the strike include pay rates in the face of inflation, the use of smaller writing staff for shorter seasons of television shows, and control over artificial intelligence in the screenwriting process.

SAG-AFTRA Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland expressed optimism about potential conversations with the industry, stating, "I had hoped that we would already have had some kind of conversations with the industry by now. Obviously, that hasn't happened yet, but I'm optimistic." In the meantime, picketers have been marching outside major studios and network offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. The strike has impacted companies such as Paramount Global, which includes Paramount+ and CBS News and Stations. Although some CBS News staff are members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, they work under different contracts than the writers and actors currently on strike.

The announcement of talks between Hollywood writers and major studios comes as a significant development in the ongoing strike. The strike, initiated by approximately 11,500 writers, has caused disruptions in the entertainment industry, including the cancellation of new episodes and the halt of work on big-budget movies. Hollywood actors joined the picket lines in July, aligning their demands with the writers for higher streaming-era pay and limitations on the use of artificial intelligence. According to entertainment website Deadline, there are indications of a potential breakthrough in talks between the WGA and the studios.