During its one-day video conference plenary on Saturday, the SAG-AFTRA National Board announced that it has overwhelmingly voted to approve the tentative agreement the union, which represents professional actors, reached earlier this month with the major broadcast networks and other producers for the 2025 Network Television Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting (Network Television Code).

The agreement, which covers work on a wide range of live and recorded programs including soap operas, talk shows, variety shows, award shows and sports, will now be sent to the membership for ratification. 

Current programs covered by the contract include “Good Morning America,” “The Price is Right,” “The Young and the Restless,” “Beyond the Gates,” “Jeopardy!” “Saturday Night Live,” “The Voice,” “Dancing With the Stars,” “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,” “General Hospital,” “Days of our Lives,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” the Academy Awards and the Super Bowl, among others.

According to SAG-AFTRA, key gains in the agreement include a 1 percentage point increase in the benefit plan contribution rate and a reallocation of existing contributions, which together will effectively raise the AFTRA Retirement Fund contribution rate by 3.3 percentage points, adding needed resources to the Fund. The agreement would also provide a general wage increase of 3.5% in year one, 3% in year two, and 3% in year three, marking a compounded increase of 9.8% over the term, with additional targeted increases in specific performer categories. Wage increases are subject to a possible strategic reallocation to the AFTRA Retirement Fund as needed to strengthen members’ retirement benefits. High-budget non-dramatic entertainment programs made for SVOD will also now be subject to the scale minimums of the Network Code.

Additionally, a large number of meaningful gains were made in many performer categories, including expanded streaming coverage for sports broadcasters for certain sporting events, improved protections around young performers, better terms for dancers and singers, protections for ensuring hair and makeup equity, and earlier access to disability accommodations. Background actors, promo announcers, stand-ins, and reporters also received improved terms. 

Most importantly, the new contract also requires the use of intimacy coordinators for scenes involving nudity or simulated sex and advance notification to background performers when nudity or simulated sex will be required. The agreement also adds a commitment to adopt future artificial intelligence terms secured in the upcoming 2026 TV/Theatrical Agreement negotiations.

“This is a meaningful and future-facing contract that raises the bar across the board. This contract reflects the union’s deep commitment to dignity, fairness, and progress in the face of increasingly adverse times,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “I’m incredibly proud of the work that went into this deal, and wholeheartedly approve of what it represents for our members working under the Network Television Code.”

“This agreement delivers meaningful wage increases, expanded protections through the use of intimacy coordinators and guaranteed access to disability accommodations and AI safeguards, all while securing vital gains in workplace safety and retirement contributions,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “It also adds additional needed resources to the AFTRA Retirement Fund. I’m especially grateful for the Network Television Code Negotiating Committee, led by Chair Keri Tombazian. Their insight and dedication helped ensure this agreement meets the evolving needs of our members in the ever-changing media landscape. I also commend our extraordinary negotiating staff and especially lead negotiator Ray Rodriguez for their efforts in achieving this forward-thinking deal.”

The current contracts remain in effect during the member ratification process, the union said.

Informational meetings for members are currently being scheduled and details will be made available at sagaftra.org/netcode2025 in the coming days. Meanwhile, postcards will be mailed on Wednesday, July 30 to eligible SAG-AFTRA members and they will have until 5:00 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 to cast their vote on ratification. 

Note: The post SAG-AFTRA National Board Overwhelmingly Approves Network Television Code Deal With Producers appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

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I am glad the contract was approved. Congratulations to the all of those involved.