Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 57 mins ago
SAG-AFTRA Members Approve Four-Year TV Animation Contracts
SAG-AFTRA members approved two new TV animation contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
The four-year agreements cover television animation and basic cable animation.
Members voted 94.5% to 5.05% in favour of the contracts, which were negotiated with input from union members.
The agreements strengthen protections around artificial intelligence and include a 12.6% wage increase over four years.
They also provide higher residuals and increased health, pension and retirement benefits.
The contracts set new terms for performers, but SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin said agreements cannot make studios produce more or audiences watch more.
SAG-AFTRA members ratified four-year television animation agreements with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
The agreements cover television animation and basic cable animation.
They provide a 12.6% wage increase over the term, residual gains and increased health, pension and retirement benefits.
The contracts also include enhanced protections around artificial intelligence.
The reported approval percentage differs between outlets: Deadline reported 94.95%, while TheWrap reported 94.5% approval and 5.05% opposition.
- Who
- SAG-AFTRA members and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
- What
- Members ratified four-year television animation and basic cable animation agreements.
- When
- Members voted on Thursday; the agreements are effective retroactively from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
- Where
- Nationwide among SAG-AFTRA members.
- Why
- The agreements set wages, residuals, benefits and protections around artificial intelligence for animation performers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
SAG-AFTRA members voted to approve the television animation agreements.
The agreements took effect retroactively.
The agreements are set to expire.
- Vote result
- Deadline reported 94.95% approval; TheWrap reported 94.5% approval and 5.05% opposition
- Wage increase
- 12.6% over the term of the agreements
- Agreements
- 2026 Television Animation Agreement and 2026 Basic Cable Animation Agreement
- Effective date
- July 1, 2026
- Expiration date
- June 30, 2030
2 sources
What people are saying
As someone who often works in TV animation, my heartfelt thanks goes out to the TV Animation Negotiating Committee and co-chairs Bob Bergen and David Jolliffe for putting in the time and effort to get SAG-AFTRA members a dignified deal with essential AI protections
The bottom line is that no agreement can make studios produce more or make audiences watch
SAG-AFTRA members who work in TV Animation are entitled to meaningful protections around AI and wages that reflect the value of their labor.