Look for those merger announcements to come down the road. Almost as significant is the emergence of the WB and UPN networks. These are both essentially defensive strategic moves by studios to ensure an outlet for their programming. Warner Bros. had to guard its position as a top supplier. At present, none of the networks owns all its own programming.
Creativity is a bit too scarce for that.
And if a studio hopes to sell to the other networks, then the studio's own network better buy from other producers. While the net increase in work for writers and others in Hollywood has been gradual, at least it's growth and not contraction, which has hit the feature side of the business in recent months. Indeed, the networks are trying to reach outside of the conventions already as they prepare for the 1999-2000 season. Too bad life as an independent producer means signing over the keys to a studio or network. Another downside, of course, is the increasing lack of an arms-length transaction.