[rixrex]

Well, there's probably enough older films and TV shows you haven't seen out there to keep your viewing going. You just have to maybe go out of your way and rent them or something.

It all does have to do with money, specifically money that comes in from the new areas of show exhibition, like the internet. Writers on strike at this point may have lost more than they'd have gained if they took the old offer, but that doesn't mean I'm saying they are wrong.

The idea of an entitlement, such as a royalty, for continued showings of the same program initially came from acting talent who got tired of seeing their work shown again and again, and not getting something for it. This idea was adopted by other off-screen talent as well. Of course one might argue that once a person is paid for their work, then that's it, but the history of talent union negotiation settlements is against that idea.

For an extended strike, producers have enough shows "in the bank" and in rerun, syndication, etc, to hold out for some time, and if writers want to match them, some writers may have to get other jobs to keep going.

Some of the problem comes from others who are not writers getting laid off, and starting to hurt. Most have unemployment to help out, and since that's paid for by employers, the employers are going to be hurt when they're told by the state that they have to contibute more to that fund, so that's pressure on the producers. The writers and any others on strike or walkout can't get unemployment.