Contracts

2023 Writers Guild of America Theatrical and Television Basic Agreement

The MBA is the collective bargaining agreement that covers most of the work done by WGA writers. If you have questions regarding the application or interpretation of its provisions, contact the Guild’s Contracts Department or call (323) 782-4501.

Previous Minimum Basic Agreements

Schedule of Minimums

If you would like to purchase a hard copy of the MBA or prior agreements or schedules, email Operations.

Subscriber Tiers By Streaming Platform

One factor determining the minimum script fees and residuals for high budget dramatic programs made for an SVOD service is the service’s domestic (U.S. and Canada) subscriber tier for the given year. To ensure that writer compensation keeps pace with growing audiences, the subscriber tier for each SVOD service is reviewed July 1 of each year.

Have any questions about this information? Contact the Contracts Department for any questions related to the budget of your program, script fees, or High Budget SVOD series that may be grandfathered, and contact the Residuals Department for any questions related to the calculation of residuals.

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  • Subscriber Tiers as of July 1, 2024
    DOMESTIC SUBSCRIBER TIERS AS OF JULY 1, 2024
    1-5 million Over 5 million but fewer than 20 million 20 million to 45 million > 45 million
    AMC+
    BET+    		   Apple TV+
    Max
    Paramount+
    Peacock    		 Amazon
    Disney+
    Hulu
    Netflix
    *Estimated. Tentative until verified.
  • Subscriber Tiers as of July 1, 2022
    DOMESTIC SUBSCRIBER TIERS AS OF JULY 1, 2022
    1-5 million Over 5 million but fewer than 20 million 20 million to 45 million > 45 million
    BET+ Spectrum Originals Apple TV+
    Disney+
    HBO Max
    Paramount+
    Peacock    		 Amazon
    Hulu
    Netflix
  • Subscriber Tiers as of July 1, 2021
    DOMESTIC SUBSCRIBER TIERS AS OF JULY 1, 2021
    1-5 million Over 5 million but fewer than 20 million 20 million to 45 million > 45 million
    AMC+*
    BET+    		 Apple TV+*
    Paramount+
    Peacock
    Spectrum Originals    		 Disney+
    HBO Max
    Hulu    		 Amazon
    Netflix
    *Stipulated by Company. Tentative until verified.
  • Subscriber Tiers as of July 1, 2020
    DOMESTIC SUBSCRIBER TIERS AS OF JULY 1, 2020
    1-5 million Over 5 million but fewer than 20 million 20 million to 45 million > 45 million
    Peacock Apple TV+
    CBS All Access/Paramount+
    HBO Max
    Spectrum Originals    		 Amazon
    Disney+
    Hulu    		 Netflix