Hollywood can breathe a sigh of relief. The SAG-AFTRA actors' union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) reached a new contract agreement on Saturday, eliminating the threat of a strike. While the parties did not immediately disclose the details of the agreement, which serves as a continuation of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA TV/Cinematic Contracts, they stated that they would share more information later. The agreement covers cinematic films, scripted prime-time dramatic television, broadcast service content, and new media.

Regulations regarding artificial intelligence became the main topic of this year's negotiations. SAG-AFTRA had established approval and copyright standards related to AI during the 2023 talks, but technology and its uses have changed significantly since then. Chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland stated at the Consumer Electronics Show that they aimed for AI-generated performers to be as costly as human actors.

The union also focused on improving members' wages. SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin had previously stated, "People need a salary; they are struggling with access to healthcare. Cost of living and inflation adjustments are necessary. Salaries need to be higher."

The AMPTP aimed to sign long-term contracts with major unions to reduce the risk of a strike. The first implementation of this strategy was with the Writers Guild of America (WGA), resulting in a four-year contract instead of the initially targeted five-year agreement. SAG-AFTRA's negotiations began on February 9 and were extended twice. Most recently, discussions continued after the AMPTP's agreement with the WGA on April 27.

The agreement will now go to the SAG-AFTRA national board for approval. Following that, a voting phase will begin for members, and the voting date has yet to be determined.