Writers Strike 2023: Will New Reality TV Episodes Air?

It’s been 15 years since the Writers Guild Of America went on strike. Fans of reality TV shows have one big question: What does this mean? Will there still be new episodes of reality TV shows? Keep reading for the details on how this strike will impact your favorite reality TV shows.

Writers Strike 2023: Will New Reality TV Episodes Air?

With the Writers Guild Of America going on strike, more than 800,000 jobs across over 11,000 production companies are going to be hindered. This caused late-night talk shows to immediately go dark. And, if an agreement is not reached, daytime soap operas are just a few weeks behind late-night talk shows.

Fortunately, the spring lineup of new scripted TV shows is pretty secure. Streaming services such as Netflix are ready to shop in other countries for content (which is something they do a lot anyway). And, news also has nothing to worry about as its writers are part of a different union entirely.

The question is: Where does this leave reality TV? Will new episodes of the next season of Sister Wives get put on hold? Will American Idol continue to air new episodes? Are shows such as Bachelor and Big Brother at risk?

Reality TV junkies can rest easy knowing they have absolutely nothing to worry about. Reality TV is coined as unscripted television. While most reality TV shows catch a lot of heat for coming off as scripted, they don’t have an official script (at least they try not to advertise having one). Without needing writers on the production team to write a script, all of your favorite reality TV shows will continue to make and air new episodes like nothing is happening.

These Strikes Never End Quickly

If the strike drags on as they have in the past, news broadcasts and reality TV shows will likely dominate while everything else operates on reruns until the strike ends.

It's official. The Writers Guild of America is now on strike.

It's time for studio CEO's to stop being greedy piling up hundreds of millions of dollars for themselves and pay up the writers whom some can't even afford rent. pic.twitter.com/XCUmkgiqIh

— Home of DCU (@homeofdcu) May 2, 2023

In 2007, 15 years ago, the Writers Guild went on strike for 100 days. This strike bled over into 2008 before coming to an end. Back in 1988, the Writers Guild also went on strike. That strike was even longer last for 153 days. At 100 and 150 days, scripted TV including late-night talk shows, soap operas, and scripted television will all stop airing new episodes. But, streaming services, reality TV, and news broadcasts should NOT have any problems continuing to give their viewers new episodes.

Seth Meyers on a potential WGA strike:

"I feel very strongly that what the writers are asking for is not unreasonable, and as a proud member of the Guild, I'm very grateful that there's an organization that looks out for the best interests of writers."pic.twitter.com/VZIuRjWxh6

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 2, 2023

What are your thoughts on this writers strike of 2023? Are you relieved to know reality TV shows will remain unscathed? Let us know in the comments down below. And, keep coming back for more reality TV news.