The time has come
to sharpen dull pencils

The Writers Guild of America has reached an agreement with production studios over compensation for online programming, NPR reports.

On the union website, presidents Michael Winship and Patric Verrone of the WGA stated the agreement protects writers as the internet becomes the primary means of content creation and delivery.

The contract includes the following:

• That the WGA be "exclusive bargaining agent" for "new media," including cellular broadcasting and online. It shall also determine writing credits for all new media programs.
• That new media programs include pension and health insurance benefits identical to those for TV and film producers.
• That writers get 1.2 percent of gross receipts for old shows and movies sold online. New shows will yield two percent.
• That WGA writers get 1.2 percent of gross payments when viewers pay to download content.
• That online programming reused on TV also results in residual compensation.
• That WGA members can access financial data pertaining to new media programming.
• That minimum pay rates rise 3.5 percent with the exception of primetime and daytime serials, which will rise by only 3 percent.

WGA writers are expected to return to work no later than Wednesday this week.