In recent years, the entertainment industry has seen a seismic shift from traditional broadcast and cable television to streaming platforms. As a result, the topic of residuals has become a contentious issue. The core of the matter is that many in the industry feel that streaming giants, like Netflix, are not compensating talent fairly for their work.
Aaron Paul, the breakout star who embodied the resourceful Jesse Pinkman in the critically acclaimed series Breaking Bad, recently revealed that he receives no residuals from the show streaming on Netflix, which is surprising if you consider how popular the show is on the platform.
I don’t get a piece from Netflix on Breaking Bad to be totally honest and that’s insane to me. I think a lot of these streamers know that they have been getting away with not paying people a fair wage and now it’s time to pony up.
This revelation came as Paul and other Breaking Bad cast members, including Bryan Cranston, joined the SAG-AFTRA picket line outside Sony Pictures Studios. Cranston, who portrayed Walter White in the series, emphasized that their intent was not to vilify studios or streaming platforms but to advocate for fairness.
We want you to come back to the table with us. We’re not making them the enemy. They are not villains. These are people that we all will be working with once again at some point. We just want them to see reality.
Once the higher-ups sort of come back to Earth and come back to reality I really do feel that we’re going to find a common ground and march forward in this. That’s how we paid our bills… residuals, international residuals, DVD sales and things like that but those things are gone.
💪 While on the #SagAftraStrike picket line, #SagAftraMembers Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul chatted with us about the importance of securing a fair, equitable and respectful contract. Until we get what we deserve, “we’re not going anywhere.” #SagAftraStrong ✊ pic.twitter.com/7VAUw8pfNf
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) August 29, 2023
Residuals have been a cornerstone of the entertainment industry since the 1960s. They were designed to compensate talent for reruns and subsequent airings of their work beyond the initial release.
Traditionally, actors and writers would receive payment each time a show aired on broadcast or cable television or when a DVD or Blu-ray was sold. However, with the rise of streaming platforms, these payments have dwindled, often leaving actors and writers with a fraction of what they once earned.
The shift to streaming has had profound implications for the industry. Streaming residuals are often not tied to the popularity of a show or film, like they were in the DVD era. Furthermore, the lack of substantial residuals can have real-world consequences for actors.
Residuals often supplement actors’ incomes, helping them cover day-to-day expenses. A significant reduction in these payments can even lead to the loss of union health insurance for some.
In a real sense, actors and writers are not just seeking better pay; they are advocating for a system that recognizes the value of their work in the digital age. As streaming continues to dominate the entertainment landscape, the industry will need to address these concerns to ensure that talent is compensated fairly.
