TV Writers Get $70 Million In Age Discrimination Settlement

One-hundred-sixty-five television writers jointly received a $70 million settlement Friday in their age-discrimination claim against some of Hollywood's biggest players, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and more.

" ... With years of disruptive litigation remaining, and all networks and major television studios and talent agencies participating in the settlement, it made sense to bring these protracted cases to a close," stated Seth E. Pierce, a liaison counsel for the defendants.

The reward, two-thirds of which will be paid by insurance carriers, will provide a $2.5 million Fund for the Future to provide grants and loans to plaintiffs to help them advance their writing careers and obtain medical insurance.

Part of the settlement is that the defendants get to " strongly deny the plaintiffs' allegations and state that their hiring and/or representation practices fully comply with the law and reflect their commitment to equal employment opportunity," according to a joint statement released by both sides in the case.

The settlement still has to be approved by the plaintiffs, Superior Court and the county of Los Angeles. According to the Canadian Press, a claim against Creative Artists Agency remains.

The full list of defendents settling follows:

ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The WB, UPN, Columbia TriStar Television, Inc., DW SKG TV L.L.C., Universal Media Studios, Regency Television, Spelling Television, The Carsey-Werner Company LLC, Touchstone Television, Twentieth Century Fox Television, and Warner Bros. Television, APA, The Endeavor Agency, The Gersh Agency, Paradigm Talent & Literary Agency, Shapiro-Lichtman, UTA, and the William Morris Agency LLC.