Can TV take strike two? ( and how might this effect True Blood season 2 ?)

A SAG walkout would severely test broadcast nets
By Nellie Andreeva

Already engaged in deep soul searching following a dismal fall TV season and flatlining ad market, broadcast networks are facing another blow: a potential SAG strike early next year.

SAG's decision during the weekend to seek a strike authorization from its membership following the breakdown of its negotiations with AMPTP has shifted the once-remote possibility of a SAG walkout much closer to reality.

While its effect would not be as far reaching as this year's strike by the WGA -- a SAG walkout would only affect scripted primetime fare -- it would derail the broadcast season for a second straight year, this time in the midst of a severe economic crisis.

"Everyone is praying that it won't happen, but the reality starts to sink in that there may be a strike," one TV studio exec said.

On Monday, TV executives who normally would be embarking on a Thanksgiving vacation were working on contingencies. For now, there are no plans to cancel or shorten the primetime series' holiday hiatuses, scheduled for the last two weeks of December, in order to get more episodes in the can.

The bulk of primetime scripted series will have 60%-75% of their episodes completed before they stop for a holiday break and as many as five unaired episodes in various stages of postproduction.

Things look better for such returning midseason series as WGA strike casualty "24" and comedies "Rules of Engagement" and "According to Jim," which will have completed their orders by the end of the year.


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