Part 3/12:
The industry is now navigating a period of reduced output, with fewer deals, smaller budgets, and an increased risk of cancellations. Unlike previous strike periods, such as in 2007–2008 when writers flooded networks with speculative scripts, this time the enthusiasm and capacity to produce new material are notably diminished. Many writers, emotionally invested in the cause, did not produce a surge of new scripts, partly due to the prolonged engagement on picket lines and perhaps because of growing industry saturation with a surplus of writers—a trend that began years ago and has only intensified.