Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television in the United States

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The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 substantially impacted the American television industry.

With the spread of the pandemic in the United States, almost all television entertainment production ceased, except those capable of being produced remotely and/or with reduced personnel.

By June, certain productions resumed after implementing social distancing guidelines, quarantine measures, and other public health protocols.

The pandemic resulted in the most impactful shutdown to the American television industry since the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike, which had disrupted nearly all television productions. The ensuing turblent aftermath sees major reductions in the workforce and cancellations of shows right and left to save money on basic residuals and music licensing costs, which lead to the end of Peak TV and a worsening condition for writers and actors that eventually led to both the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.^[1]