WGA Strike Could Have Long-Term Impact on Television

Beyond the short-term scramble by studios to replace scripted shows and get through the rest of the season, industry analysts say the strike could have more long-lasting impacts on television.

The immediate question is what studios will do with the season’s new shows, some of which have already won full-season renewals. Technically they can be rescinded but few think that will happen.

Unless there’s a sudden breakthrough between writers and producers, which few will believe will happen, it already looks like this year’s pilot season for the 2008-2009 season will be scaled back if not cancelled all together.

The change to the pilot season, analysts say, could cause a change to year-found development instead of the process that has each network shooting 15-20 pilots from January to April. Such a move would result in a break from the usual fall launch to a more gradual rollout of shows. Still, skeptics point out that Fox tried to do that a few years ago before going back to a traditional cycle.

Some say new shows might debut in August or early September with new shows debuting throughout the year.