SAG-AFTRA Begins Studio Talks Amid Media Blackout

Union seeks to improve AI and streaming residual terms from 2023 strike

Feb. 9, 2026 at 12:47pm

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SAG-AFTRA, the labor union representing actors and other entertainment industry professionals, has begun negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on a new contract. The talks are taking place under a media blackout, as is customary, to avoid negotiating in public. The union's proposal package was unanimously approved by the SAG-AFTRA national board after weeks of meetings to gather member input on issues like the decline in jobs and the use of AI in the industry.

Why it matters

These negotiations will determine the terms under which SAG-AFTRA members work, including key issues like the use of AI to alter or create actor performances, streaming residuals, and health benefits. The outcome could have significant implications for the entertainment industry and its workforce.

The details

The talks are set to continue through March 6, with the possibility of an extension if progress is being made. SAG-AFTRA is seeking to enhance the protections around 'synthetic performers' that it obtained during the 2023 strike, as well as address other issues like streaming residuals, self-taped auditions, and health benefits.

  • The SAG-AFTRA contract expires on June 30.
  • The union's national board unanimously approved the proposal package on Saturday.
  • The talks with the AMPTP began on Monday, February 9, 2026.

The players

SAG-AFTRA

The labor union representing actors and other entertainment industry professionals.

Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)

The organization that represents the major studios in negotiations with SAG-AFTRA.

Sean Astin

The president of SAG-AFTRA, who has spent the last few months talking with members about the decline in jobs and other issues.

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What they’re saying

“This negotiations package is rooted in those conversations. As we begin bargaining with the AMPTP, we do so united, prepared and focused on securing protections that reflect the realities of today's industry and the value our members bring to it every day.”

— Sean Astin, SAG-AFTRA President

What’s next

If the two sides cannot reach a deal by March 6, they would return to the table after negotiations with the Writers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America this spring.

The takeaway

These negotiations will be crucial in determining the working conditions and protections for SAG-AFTRA members, particularly around the use of AI and streaming residuals, which have become increasingly important issues in the entertainment industry.