Will the 2023 Hollywood Writers' Strike Lead to a New Media Renaissance?

Lon Harris
Lon Harris is a contributor to dot.LA. His work has also appeared on ScreenJunkies, RottenTomatoes and Inside Streaming.
Will the 2023 Hollywood Writers' Strike Lead to a New Media Renaissance?
Evan Xie

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The last time Hollywood writers collectively went on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) was way back in November of 2007, when the internet looked very different from today. That strike ultimately lasted around 100 days, and in addition to the formal changes to how writers work and get paid, it also permanently shifted the digital media landscape, and led to all sorts of other unexpected ripple effects and consequences as well. (A new piece in LAist even suggests that the 2007 WGA strike may have pushed California into a recession before the rest of the country.)


How podcasting became a go-to for writers during the 2007 strike

The sudden loss of work writing for television and film pushed writers to explore new creative avenues that were just opening up at the time, such as podcasting, blogging, or posting videos to YouTube. Joss Whedon’s massively influential musical web series “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” came together because the then-beloved showrunner and his celebrity friends suddenly found themselves with no day jobs and a lot of extra time on their hands. Whedon was inspired by a different web series from “Dr. Horrible” co-star Felicia Day, “The Guild,” which had premiered on YouTube just a few months before the strike started in July 2007.

2005 is typically considered the breakout year for podcasting. The New Oxford American Dictionary named it “the word of the year” in ‘05, Yahoo! introduced its first “podcast search” product, and the White Houes began delivering President George W. Bush’s weekly addresses in a podcast format. Two years later, when comedians and writers were in need of new temporary projects to fill some time and keep their names in the pop culture consciousness, starting a podcast was a natural and obvious new outlet. A flood of amateur comedy podcasts hit the internet throughout 2006-2008, leading more established comedians like Marc Maron and Adam Carolla to enter the fray just a few years later, in 2009.

The 2007 strike also gets a lot of blame for a renewed interest in reality TV, that might have even kept Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice” for a few extra years, but Vanity Fair suggests this connection might be overblown. After all, reality shows were already a considerable mainstream hit by the mid ‘00s.

It’s fun to speculate what kinds of new media projects could get a boost this time out from writers who are temporarily pushed out of their day jobs. Certainly, VR and metaverse applications could use a new influx of innovation and creativity. The flagging market for non-true crime documenataries could get a boost as streamers desperately look around for more kinds of content to supplement their libraries. And, of course, someone needs to keep training all these AI chatbots.

Why the latest strike is unlikely to inspire the same media renaissance

Still, it’s unlikely that the new 2023 strike will directly lead to an interest in different kinds of digital media, as it did in 2007. Mainly because the digital media side of the industry has changed so much in the last decade and a half, including regulations about what kinds of work writers can do and a shift in baseline incentives for exploring new platforms.

In 2007, digital media remained a largely unexplored and unregulated frontier. Netflix was still primarily thought of as a DVD rental service. “Livestreaming” was a weird hobby by which individuals would give up their privacy and share every aspect of their daily routine, rather than a mainstream genre of video in which people play video games or watch movie trailers along with their friends and followers. The idea that an individual could build up a global following by recording themselves eating a large meal or playing Dungeons & Dragons or dancing to a K-pop song remained purely theoretical.

Today, these outlets and content offerings are much better known and understood, but also far more corporatized, established, and regulated, making it extremely unlikely that any disaffected TV writers will jump over to YouTube and make something like “Dr. Horrible” again. Rather than being a fun, experimental sandbox for side projects, YouTube is now a mainstream and established platform with a Hollywood economy all of its own. Whedon was seen in 2007 as a bold innovatorfor taking his talents to a brand new and exciting platform; today, in the eyes of Gen Z, jumping to YouTube as a workaround makes him a “scab.”

There are also some new regulations that might stymie writers’ attempts to broaden their horizons during the strike. Obviously, working on any professional film, TV or new media writing projects is expressly prohibited. The WGA also bars members from working on scripted fiction podcasts for any Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) signatory, which includes jobs for big studios producing their own in-house podcasting projects. (Marvel Comics’ audio series would fit under this definition.) For the most part, it’s permissible for WGA writers to contribute to non-union podcasts, including productions for big studios like Ringer, Gimlet, and Parcast. Similar rules outline what work WGA members can take on video games.

Do writers even want these jobs in the first place?

Podcasts are much less novel in 2023 than they were in 2007, and the landscape is much more competitive for new players, even successful Hollywood-affiliated writers and comedians. In addition, this current strike hits at an uncertain overall moment for the podcasting business, in which budget cuts by sponsors led to the end of what one veteran referred to as “the dumb money era.” New podcasts no longer persent an immediately and obviously viable way to maintain a public profile or to bring in a reliable bit of extra income.

With so many alternate entertainment options in general in 2023 – from podcasts and video games to internationally-produced TV shows and films – there are also concerns among some writers about leverage. If Americans don’t immediately notice that there’s less content, and change their viewership and subscription habits, it hurts the writers’ argument that they deserve a larger share of the pie.

Some of this also relates back to the overall role of the tech business in the fight this time around. In 2007, the writers’ fight was with the conventional Hollywood establishment. Studio chiefs and media companies were attempting to adjust to the new reality of “streaming” and what it might mean for the future of entertainment, and writers wanted to ensure that they had a seat at the table for these discussions. In 2023, some of these legacy businesses remain intact, but the new power players are, in large part, the tech companies themselves, with writers sitting across from representatives of Amazon, Apple, and Netflix during negotiations.

Obviously, they’re going to be less enthusiastic about jumping on to other platforms owned by these same companies, some of which are adopting increasingly corporate payment and incentive structures of their own.

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Billion-Dollar Milestones and Snapchat’s New Features

🔦 Spotlight

Happy Friday Los Angeles!

This week’s spotlight showcases LA’s thriving tech scene, featuring Snapchat’s latest feature updates and two local startups Liquid Death and Altruist, making TechCrunch’s Unicorn List for 2024.

Image Source: Snap

Snapchat’s recent fall updates bring fresh features, including a new iPhone camera shortcut for instant snaps, Halloween-inspired AI-powered Lenses, and Bitmoji costumes inspired by Mean Girls and Yellowstone. Bitmoji stickers now reflect trending Gen-Z expressions like “slay” and heart symbols for added flair in chats. Plus, the “Footsteps” feature on Snap Map allows users to track their past adventures privately, adding a nostalgic touch.

Image Source: Liquid Death

ICYMI, two LA startups joined the Unicorn Club—achieving valuations over $1 billion. Liquid Death, based in Santa Monica, is a canned water company with edgy branding and a humorous sustainability focus. Known for viral marketing and brand partnerships, it redefines bottled water as a lifestyle brand and environmental statement. In March, Liquid Death closed $67 million in strategic financing, raising its total funding to over $267 million and valuing it at $1.4 billion.

Image Source: Altruist

Altruist, a Culver City-based fintech platform, offers financial advisors streamlined tools to better serve their clients. With a user-friendly investment and account management platform, Altruist has gained strong traction in the finance world. In May, it announced a $169 million Series E funding round, bringing its total funding to over $449 million and earning a valuation of $1.5 billion.

Together, Liquid Death and Altruist exemplify LA’s capacity for innovation across diverse sectors, from lifestyle branding to fintech. Whether reshaping financial tools or redefining sustainable branding, these companies showcase LA’s unique entrepreneurial spirit. Go LA!

Check out TechCrunch’s 2024 Unicorn List here. And don’t miss Snapchat’s latest features—perfect for adding some fun, connection and maybe a few selfies this weekend!


🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • Freeform, a company bringing AI to metal 3D printing, raised $14M in funding from NVIDIA’s NVentures and AE Ventures to further develop its AI-powered 3D printing technology for industrial-scale production. - learn more
LA Venture Funds
  • Anthos Capital participated in a $70M Series D round for Carbon Robotics, which develops AI-powered robotics for precision agriculture, and the funding will be used to accelerate the growth of its autonomous weeding technology. - learn more
  • Anthos Capital participated in a $3.5M seed round for Plasma Network, aimed at expanding access to USDT stablecoins on the Bitcoin network, with the investment supporting the network’s growth and efforts to enhance stablecoin accessibility through the Lightning Network. - learn more

LA Exits


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      ⚖️FTC’s "Click to Cancel" Rule and Its Ripple Effect on Tech

      🔦 Spotlight

      Happy Friday Los Angeles,

      The FTC’s new “Click to Cancel” rule is shaking up subscription-based tech. Now, instead of navigating a maze of cancellation hurdles, users can cancel subscriptions as easily as they signed up—with a single click. This shift is a wake-up call for SaaS, streaming, and app-based companies, where once-hidden exit options often kept users around simply because canceling was a hassle.

      The rule also requires businesses to send regular renewal reminders, ensuring customers stay informed about upcoming charges. It's more than a cancellation button—it’s about transparency and giving users control over their decisions.

      For startups, the impact goes deeper than UX adjustments. Many have relied on "dark patterns," which subtly discourage cancellations by hiding the exit. Now, companies must shift toward building genuine loyalty by delivering real value, not by complicating exits.

      While this might affect retention rates initially, it could lead to more sustainable business models that rely on satisfaction-driven loyalty. Investors may start prioritizing companies that emphasize transparent, long-term engagement over those that depend on dark patterns to maintain retention metrics.

      The rule opens the door to more ethical UX design and a truly user-centered approach across the tech industry. It may even set a precedent against manipulative design in other areas, such as privacy settings or payment methods.

      Ultimately, the “Click to Cancel” rule presents an opportunity for the tech industry to foster trust and build stronger customer relationships. Startups and established companies that embrace transparency will likely stand out as leaders in a new era of customer-centric tech, where trust—not tricky design—is what retains users.

      As the tech landscape continues to evolve, LA Tech Week 2024 offers a chance to explore these shifts in real-time. Check out the upcoming event lineups to stay informed and make the most of your time:

      For updates or more event information, visit the official Tech Week calendar.


      🤝 Venture Deals

      LA Companies

      • Ghost, a company supporting top brands and retailers with streamlined logistics and fulfillment solutions, raised a $40M Series C funding round led by L Catterton to fuel its continued growth and innovation. - learn more

      LA Venture Funds
      • Assembly Ventures participated in a $27M Series A round for Monogoto, a provider of software-defined connectivity solutions that enable secure, cloud-based IoT and cellular network management on a global scale. - learn more
      • Angeleno Group participated in a $32M Series C round for REsurety, a company that recently launched an innovative clean energy marketplace aimed at providing better financial and operational insights to support renewable energy transactions. - learn more

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        🌴🧑‍💻 Your Guide to LA Tech Week 2024

        🔦 Spotlight

        Happy Friday Los Angeles,

        As many of you know, LA Tech Week is right around the corner, kicking off next Monday October 14th bringing together founders, creatives, investors, and engineers for a week of immersive events, panels, and socials across the city. From blockchain and AI to biotech and design, LA Tech Week is a chance to dive into the ideas shaping today’s technology landscape.


        What to Look Forward To

        Insights from Visionary Leaders: Hear firsthand from industry trailblazers as they share stories, challenges, and key lessons from their experiences. Expect fresh perspectives on AI, venture capital, biotech, and the ethical questions around emerging technologies.

        Interactive Panels: This week isn’t about watching from the sidelines; it’s about engaging directly with the tech community. Participate in hands-on panels discussing everything from startup scaling to ethical AI, with honest insights from those actively shaping these fields.

        Networking Mixers & Social Events: Meet and connect with founders, VCs, developers, designers, and fellow techies across LA. Rooftop mixers, lunch meetups, and creative gatherings offer the perfect chance to spark ideas and collaborate.

        Plan your week with the daily lineup, organized by location for easy navigation:

        For updates or more event information, visit the official Tech Week calendar.

        Enjoy LA Tech Week 2024!!


        🤝 Venture Deals

        LA Companies

        • Clout Kitchen, a Los Angeles and Manila based startup, has raised $4.45M in seed funding, co-led by a16z SPEEDRUN and Peak XV’s Surge, to develop AI-powered digital twins, which enables gaming creators to produce realistic virtual avatars for content and fan engagement. - learn more
        • MeWe, a privacy-focused social media platform, has raised an initial $6M in Series B funding led by McCourt Global to support Web3 integration and expand its decentralized network for 20 millions users. - learn more

          LA Venture Funds
          • EGB Capital participated in a $10M Series A funding round for MiLaboratories, which develops software that enables biologists to independently analyze complex genomic data, accelerating research and discovery in fields like drug development. - learn more
          • Crosscut Ventures participated in the $13.75M seed round for Airloom Energy, a company focused on developing airborne wind energy technology to harness high-altitude winds, with plans to accelerate a pilot project in Wyoming. - learn more
          • Overture VC participated in a $5.5M Seed funding round for Molg Inc., a company developing robotics and software for circular manufacturing, designed to disassemble electronics efficiently and recover valuable materials to reduce e-waste and support sustainable production. - learn more


            LA Exits

            • Options MD, a Los Angeles based telemedicine platform that provides care for people suffering from severe and treatment-resistant mental illness, is set to be acquired by Resilience Lab, an AI-driven provider focused on enhancing mental health care access. - learn more

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