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SAG-AFTRA Negotiates AI Royalties Amid Ongoing Tensions

1/30/2026

24 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) negotiates with studios on synthetic actors.
Discussions are set for February 9.
A proposed "Tilly tax" could require studios to pay royalties into a union fund for AI actors.
The union reduced its demand from 1% of streaming revenues to a $40 million annual bonus, yet residuals and exclusivity remain contentious.

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Story summary

Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) negotiates with studios on synthetic actors.
Discussions are set for February 9.
A proposed "Tilly tax" could require studios to pay royalties into a union fund for AI actors.
The union reduced its demand from 1% of streaming revenues to a $40 million annual bonus, yet residuals and exclusivity remain contentious.