NBCUniversal Studio Group Suspends Michaels’ Broadway Video and Johnson’s Seven Bucks Amid Ongoing Labor Dispute.
Amid an extended labor standoff between the writers’ guild and significant players in Hollywood, NBCUniversal’s Universal Studio Group has opted to suspend operations with key production entities, including Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video and Dwayne Johnson’s Seven Bucks, alongside several undisclosed films and television ventures.
Insiders familiar with the matter informed The Hollywood Reporter that Universal Studio Group, comprising divisions like Universal Television, Universal Content Productions, and Universal Pictures, took the initiative on Monday to approach their remaining creative partners, inquiring about their willingness to contribute non-writing services. Those partners with active scripted or unscripted projects who assented to continue their work remain unaffected—however, those who had completed production or were unwilling to provide non-writing services faced suspension.
This move follows Universal Studio Group’s decision, alongside other major studios, to temporarily halt a significant portion of their ongoing contracts early in the strike.
Additionally, it has been observed that non-writing producers within Universal Studio Group are among those affected by this latest round of suspensions. The agreements with Michaels (known for productions like Saturday Night Live and numerous scripted TV shows) and Johnson (renowned for his extensive work in features and films) are two of Universal’s most high-profile deals.
Recently, under Channing Dungey’s leadership, Warner Bros. Television Group suspended its top-tier producers, including Greg Berlanti, J.J. Abrams, Bill Lawrence, and Mindy Kaling, after they continued to deliver non-writing services. Multiple sources indicated to THR that other studios, particularly Universal and Paramount Global, were anticipated to take similar steps.
According to sources, Seth MacFarlane remains actively involved with Universal Content Productions, focusing on the revival of Ted for Peacock. Similarly, the prolific Dick Wolf is still engaged, developing unscripted projects. However, producers like Tina Fey, Sam Esmail, and Mike Schur have already faced suspension within Universal Studio Group.
Representatives for Universal Studio Group chose not to comment on the matter.
Since Warner suspended its leading producers, the industry has been alert for further developments. Notably, Lionsgate’s deals are currently inactive. While Sony TV arrested all writers on its roster back in May, they did commit to extending weekly deals for producing services (with the studio still maintaining active non-writing contracts). Studios have not resorted to outright termination of contracts through force majeure clauses, as multiple studios and streaming sources informed THR last week that their deal rosters had already been streamlined before the strike.
