Guilds Seek More Time for Independent Programming

The entertainment guilds are urging the FCC to require the major networks to set aside a quarter of their primetime schedule for independent programming in order to offset growing consolidation of the programming marketplace.

In a joint filing on Oct. 22 , SAG, DGA, Producers Guild of America, AFTRA, WGA West and East and the Caucus for Television Producers, Writers and Directors argued that one of the FCC's own studies showed that the consolidated media landscape was diminishing the number of independent programs on network TV.

An independent programd source would be considered an "independent source" if is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by or affiliated with ABC, CBS, Fox or NBC, or their subsidiaries or sister companies, the guilds said. If one of these companies owns or controls more than a 33.33% financial interest in, is the distributor of, or owns the copyright in a program, then it is considered produced by the network and not by an "independent source." A program cross-licensed by one network to another is not considered a program produced by an "independent source." Moreover, the term or license period for the networks' licensing of independent programming could not exceed six full seasons, the guilds contended.