AFTRA to Begin Network TV Code Talks

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists will commence negotiations on Nov. 7 with ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and other producers for a successor contract to the AFTRA Network Code agreement. The Network Code is AFTRA's largest contract, generating more than $250 million a year in member earnings, and covers all television programming except scripted prime-time shows on the major networks and the CW.

AFTRA's national board of directors has given its negotiating committee the power to take all actions deemed necessary, including calling for a strike authorization vote by the union's affected members. The current Network Code is scheduled to expire Nov. 15, but it will be extended on a day-to-day basis during negotiations.