After four weeks: studios and networks offer striking writers a "massive rollback"

The AMPTP has offered a pittance in response. For a year’s reuse of an hourlong television episode streamed over the Internet, the employers are offering a flat fee of approximately $250. By contrast, when such an episode is rerun on network television, the writers currently receive $20,000.

When they stream theatrical films on the Internet, the Alliance members propose to pay no residuals at all.

In regard to made-for-Internet material, the studios and networks are offering to pay writers fees of $800 for a five-minute episode up to $1,300 for a quarter-hour.

The AMPTP proposes to continue compensating writers for downloads from the Internet at the derisory rate set for DVDs (for example, two-thirds of a penny for an iTunes download). In any event, the companies continue to insist on their right to consider any reused material “promotional,” for which they will pay nothing.

All in all, after various leaked claims made to the media this week about a “breakthrough” and “a deal in place,” this is a slap in the face for the writers.