Suits was a popular TV series in 2019 that spanned the lives of New York’s attorneys and their way of handling litigation. The drama is a captivating blend of law and fashion, with dynamic characters, intricate plot twists, and relatable themes.
On Netflix alone, the show has been ranked among the most-viewed TV series for four consecutive weeks. The OTT platform is popular for being home to the most intriguing shows and movies of all time. Despite such fierce competition, the show has managed to remain at the top of the ratings.
The sudden popularity of the show has yet again brought forth the ugly truth of the entertainment industry. One of the show’s writers, who worked on one episode, disclosed that his pay was just $259.71. He also revealed that the six main writers, who collaborated to create the TV show from the ground up, each received about $3000 in the previous quarter for streaming on two platforms.
The Dark Alley of Hollywood
Suits, the critically acclaimed legal drama series, has taken the entertainment world by storm. The show revolves around the high-stakes legal world of Manhattan, where Harvey Specter, a top-tier lawyer, hires Mike Ross, a brilliant but not-so-conventional college dropout, as his associate. The duo navigates through corporate law, personal challenges, and ethical dilemmas while maintaining the secret that Mike never attended law school.
The success of the show was shared between the production company and the actors. The statement might sound unreasonable, as the production alone requires many people to bring forth a show this brilliant. But it is what it is.
For this very reason, SAG-AFTRA has been on strike for the last four months. Behind every captivating performance, every tear-jerking scene, and every electrifying dialogue lies the dedication of talented actors and performers who pour their heart and soul into their craft.
The SAG-AFTRA strike is a manifestation of their pursuit for fair compensation, a battle rooted in the quest for equity and recognition of their immense contributions to the industry’s success.
Sudden Surge in The Suits Viewership
The show originally premiered in 2011, but Netflix revived it in 2017 with weekly episode releases. Suits has topped the Nielsen charts and broken numerous viewing records in the weeks since it moved to Netflix.
A recent report claims that it racked up 3.7 billion viewing minutes. It has appeared on Netflix’s Top 10 for four separate weeks. This list displays Netflix’s self-reported viewership figures and includes hours viewed (in the millions) and views (the sum of all viewing time divided by the length of a program or film). Suits is currently ranked fourth on Netflix’s daily U.S. TV charts.
In the era of streaming platforms that have transformed the way we consume entertainment, a complex issue has emerged – residuals. Traditionally associated with reruns and syndication, residuals are now at the forefront due to the increasing dominance of digital streaming. Performers argue that the current compensation structure fails to adequately address their work’s extended lifespan on these platforms, thus igniting a fiery debate over streaming royalties.
The SAG-AFTRA strike commands the attention of the world towards the discrimination between the artist community and the production houses.
The issue raised by the writer of Suits is genuine. However, this raises a big question whether there will be another season of Suits or not. Suits’ executive producer, Gene Klein, is reportedly in discussions, but the final decision is still awaited.
What are your views on the SAG strike? Are you rooting for the Suits to come with a brand-new season?
Share your stance in the comments section below.
Source: Los Angeles Times
