UPDATED with ITV Entertainment statement: WGA issued strike warning against ABC’s Q&A program The hunt, from ITV America.
“According to work rule 8, no member of the Writers Guild must accept employment in The hunt, with immediate effect, ”wrote the guild in a letter to members. “ITV America has refused to apply all the terms of the Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) to all seasons of The hunt going ahead – and writers in The hunt, and the Guild in general, refuse to accept a deal that would harm writers for future seasons. “
ABC’s The hunt, a remake of the British game show, features the stars of Danger! The best of all time, James Holzhauer, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. Presented by Sara Haines, it recently aired its initial order for nine episodes. It has not been renewed for a second season, although there may be additional episodes produced in the first season.
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Last week, WGA East and writers on The hunt demanded that the show be covered by the guild’s Minimum Basic Contract. The guild said it “negotiated in good faith some terms to address specific issues raised by ITV in relation to the current season”.
According to WGAE, ITV told the guild on Monday that it did not agree to apply the MBA for The hunt, and “the editors informed the company that they would start the strike this morning if the company did not change its position”.
The WGA insists that its contract must cover all seasons of the show. “Accepting less than that would hurt future season writers; the jurisdiction of the guilds on quiz, public participation and game shows; and all members of the guild. “
“After the WGAE approached ITV a week ago, we started negotiations in good faith and proposed a package for the editors that includes generous salary increases and health benefits through the WGA,” said ITV Entertainment in a statement. “Despite this proposal, WGAE refuses to make a deal and insists on terms that would damage the show economically. We remain open to continue discussions with the guild. ITV offers high-level health benefits for all employees, whether unionized or not. “
The WGA represents writers in other question and participation programs, including Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, The Weakest Link and Danger!
The show shows competitors competing against a professional quizzer, known as the Chaser, whose goal is to prevent competitors from winning a cash prize. Holzhauer, Jennings and Rutter will take turns as top scorers. Competitors must answer general knowledge questions in a series of money-generating rounds and head-to-head matches before attempting to win a cash prize in the final chase. It is produced by ITV Entertainment from ITV America.
David Robb contributed to this report.