The 2023 Tony Awards seemed to have received its blessing from the Writers Guild of America to continue broadcasting on live television as it reached an agreement with the union after mulling the decision for a while.
In the past week, the 2023 Tony Awards were in limbo as the Tony Awards Management Committee is planning to reschedule the show after the WGA strike.
The 2023 Tony Awards Finally Greenlit For TV
According to Broadway World, the 2023 Tony Awards will be airing as scheduled on Jun. 11, 2023, from the United Palace in Washington Heights in New York. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has also agreed to not picket outside the palace during the broadcast.
Initially, the Tony Awards Management Committee had been mulling over the decision to either hold the show not broadcasted on live television or to reschedule at all.
Proceeding to broadcast on live television meant many things for the Tony Awards - many artists including the likes of Lin Manuel Miranda who will likely be in attendance at the Tonys have vowed not to cross picket lines, which could mean lower turnout.
Aside from this, writers are also vital in producing the host-led banters on the show and any other needed materials needed for the ceremony.
"The WGA will not be picketing the show. Responsibility for having to make changes to the format of the 2023 Tony Awards rests squarely on the shoulders of Paramount/CBS and their allies," the statement from the WGA said.
According to the release, the networks "refuse" to negotiate a contract for the writers represented by the WGA. However, WGA won't be keeping the Tony Awards from being broadcasted on television as they know how vital TV promotion needed in maintaining the jobs of the whole production.
"As they have stood by us, we stand with our fellow workers on Broadway who are impacted by our strike," they continued.
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WGA Strike Explained
The WGA has been protesting for a fair contract against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers since early May 2023.
They have attracted a lot of artists and other celebrities to stand behind them in demanding that producers, networks, and streamers pay them fairly as television broadcasts decline and streaming surges. Because of this, television shows, including your favorite drama series, late-night shows, and others had been put to halt.
Check out the WGA's demands here.
READ ALSO: WGA Strike Explained: How Will It Affect Music on Television?
