Writers Guild to Target Burbank Reality TV Producers

Rally to Hit American Idol Producer FreemantleMedia North America

By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 12/6/2007 10:03:00 AM

Writers Guild members will take their strike to Burbank Friday, targeting one of the nation's most successful producers of reality programming, FremantleMedia North America, as the site of a rally of writers.

Part of the negotiations between writers and studios is about jurisdiction over reality series writers. The WGA tried unsuccessfully in the past to gain representation for reality writers, for instance targeting America’s Next Top Model with a writers’ walk-out in 2006. The job action was unsuccessful: the writers lost their jobs.

Friday’s rally target, FremantleMedia, produces American Idol, among other reality and game shows.

The writers will be entertained at their informational picket and rally by Tenacious D (the duo of Jack Black and Kyle Gass).