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Hollywood Braces for Tense Contract Negotiations

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, February 6th 2026 at 13:02 GMT by IndieWire
      Locales: California, New York, Georgia, UNITED STATES

Los Angeles, CA - February 6th, 2026 - As Hollywood prepares for the next round of contract negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the industry finds itself at a critical juncture. The 2023 strike, a watershed moment that halted production for nearly four months, revealed deep-seated anxieties about the changing media landscape and the future of performers' livelihoods. The current contract, which technically expired in 2020 but was extended through the resolution of the 2023 strike, will finally be fully renegotiated this year, promising a potentially turbulent period for both sides.

The shadow of the 2023 work stoppage looms large. While a tentative agreement was reached, many actors felt it didn't fully address the core issues, particularly concerning the long-term implications of streaming and the burgeoning threat of artificial intelligence. The 2026 negotiations aren't merely about securing incremental gains; they are about fundamentally reshaping the power dynamics in a Hollywood drastically different from the one of even a decade ago.

Streaming Residuals: The Unfinished Business

The 2023 strike centered heavily around residuals from streaming services, with actors arguing that the current system fails to adequately compensate them for the continued value of their work. The traditional residual model, designed for broadcast television and theatrical releases, doesn't translate well to the on-demand world. While the previous agreement introduced some changes, the union is expected to push for a more substantial overhaul.

Sources close to SAG-AFTRA indicate the union will likely advocate for a system that more closely resembles a percentage of total streaming revenue, rather than the current per-subscriber formulas. They argue that this would provide a more accurate reflection of a show's or movie's success and ensure actors receive a fairer share of the profits. The AMPTP, however, will likely resist this, citing concerns about profitability and the competitive pressures of the streaming market. The issue isn't just about money; it's about recognizing the ongoing contributions of performers in a world where content is perpetually available.

The AI Revolution and Performers' Rights

Arguably the most pressing issue facing SAG-AFTRA is the rapid advancement of generative AI. The ability to convincingly replicate voices and likenesses poses an existential threat to actors' careers. The union is determined to establish ironclad protections against the unauthorized use of performers' data to train AI models and to safeguard against the creation of "digital doubles" that could displace human actors.

Specifically, SAG-AFTRA is expected to demand clear consent protocols for the use of an actor's likeness in AI-generated content, as well as fair compensation for any such use. They'll also likely explore mechanisms to prevent AI from creating entirely new performances based on an actor's work without their involvement. The legal complexities surrounding AI and intellectual property are significant, and the negotiations will likely involve intricate discussions about ownership, control, and the definition of "performance." Some within the union are even discussing the creation of a "digital performance registry" to track and manage the use of actors' digital likenesses.

Transparency and Working Conditions: Building a Sustainable Industry

Beyond residuals and AI, SAG-AFTRA is expected to address concerns about transparency and working conditions. Actors have long complained about a lack of access to viewership data, making it difficult to assess the true success of their projects and negotiate fair compensation. The union will likely push for greater transparency from studios regarding streaming numbers and box office receipts.

The 2023 strike also highlighted the challenges of self-tape auditions, often conducted with minimal oversight and at the actor's expense. SAG-AFTRA will likely seek to establish standardized guidelines for self-tapes, including limits on the number of auditions required and reimbursement for associated costs. Furthermore, the trend toward shorter seasons and the increased use of "test options" (where actors are hired on a trial basis) have raised concerns about job security and the sustainability of careers in the industry.

The Stakes are High

The 2026 SAG-AFTRA contract negotiations represent a critical moment for the future of the entertainment industry. A successful agreement could establish a more equitable and sustainable system for performers in the age of streaming and AI. However, a failure to reach a compromise could lead to another disruptive strike, further exacerbating the challenges facing the industry. The coming months will undoubtedly be marked by intense negotiations, high stakes, and a fierce battle over the future of work in Hollywood.