The groups are at odds over the issue of residuals - money paid when reruns appear on cable, video, online and outside of the United States. In light of these profound changes, traditional formulas for calculating residuals have become outdated and no longer provide fair remuneration to artists. Their concerns touch all four of the areas. Cable residuals are paid at two percent, a special deal cut when cable networks were young. Foreign residual payments have remained stable since the 1970s, even though demand for U. S. programs on foreign television has become extremely high.
Similar complaints involve Internet broadcasting residuals.
Brian Walton, who is the chief negotiator for the SAG, is quick to point out that a strike is unlikely. Neither the SAG nor affiliate groups have announced the intention of striking, although they refuse to rule out the possibility. The SAG lists similar concerns as the WGA, with added issues surrounding the introduction of new technology. The SGA feels obligated to protect those acting in front of Digital cameras, as well as the good-old film types. In reality, though, the specifics are, for the television view population, less important than the results.