SAG-AFTRA Secures Tentative Four-Year Deal with Studios

SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) announced a tentative agreement covering motion pictures, scripted primetime drama, streaming content and new media. The deal extends the standard three-year term to four years, matching the recent Writers Guild of America (WGA) contract. Negotiations began on Feb. 9, paused on Mar. 15 for the WGA talks, resumed Apr. 27, and concluded May 2. Approval by the SAG-AFTRA National Board and ratification by roughly 160,000 members are still required.

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The 2023 strikes by SAG-AFTRA and the WGA halted production across Hollywood. The WGA secured a four-year deal and a $321 million infusion into its health fund in April 2026. Studios have sought longer contracts to ensure labor peace, while unions have pressed for AI safeguards, higher streaming residuals, and better wages and health-care provisions. The current negotiations continued that agenda, emphasizing updated AI language and pension funding.

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• Sean Astin – SAG-AFTRA president

Hollywood Reporter

• Duncan Crabtree-Ireland – SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator

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• Greg Hessinger – AMPTP chief negotiator

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• DGA – slated for talks May 11

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• Feb 9 2026: Negotiations start.

Variety Magazine

• Mar 15 2026: Pause for WGA.

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• Apr 27 2026: Resume.

Variety Magazine

• May 2 2026: Tentative deal.

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• May (soon): Board review, member vote.

Hollywood Reporter

• May 11 2026: DGA talks begin.

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~160,000 SAG-AFTRA members; four-year term; AI consent/compensation provisions; “sizable” pension-fund contribution (amount undisclosed); push for higher streaming residual bonuses.

Deadline Hollywood

Avoids a repeat of the 2023 work stoppage, stabilizes production, sets AI usage standards, improves long-term financial security via a pension boost, and addresses streaming-revenue disparities.

Variety Magazine

SAG-AFTRA issued a statement confirming the tentative agreement and noting that details will be released after the National Board’s review. The AMPTP posted the same statement on its website, emphasizing labor stability and the inclusion of AI and compensation measures.

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Studios favor longer contracts to limit future disruptions, while the union insists on stricter AI limits and higher streaming payouts. The lack of disclosed financial terms has prompted calls for greater transparency before ratification.

Variety Magazine

Variety said the union’s return for the extended term was unclear, while Deadline reported a “sizable” pension-fund contribution from the AMPTP. Exact contribution size and the full AI language remain undisclosed.

Deadline Hollywood

• “SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have reached a tentative agreement on terms for a successor contract to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Contracts covering motion pictures, scripted primetime dramatic television, streaming content and new media,” — SAG-AFTRA statement

Variety Magazine

• “People need their wages; they’re having a hard time qualifying for health care. They need cost-of-living, inflation [adjustments]. People need to make more money,” — Sean Astin, SAG-AFTRA president

Hollywood Reporter

The National Board will review the deal in the coming days, followed by a member ratification vote. The DGA is set to begin negotiations with the AMPTP on May 11, potentially extending the current period of industry labor peace.

Variety Magazine