LOS ANGELES – Members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists recently approved a tentative deal reached last month for the AFTRA Network Staff Newspersons’ Agreement that expands coverage of work in new media platforms by ABC and CBS

American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO

NEWS RELEASE

AFTRA to Commence Negotiations with AMPTP

on May 7 for a New Three-Year Primetime TV Contract

LOS ANGELES (May 6, 2008) - The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced that its Primetime Negotiating Committee, comprised of 31 working actors, will commence formal talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers regarding a new three-year Exhibit A of the Network Code agreement tomorrow, Wednesday, May 7.

Exhibit A of the Network Code covers such AFTRA primetime network TV dramas and situation comedies as “Rules of Engagement,” “Cashmere Mafia,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Flight of the Conchords,” “Dante’s Cove,” “The Reaper,” and “Til Death.” AFTRA’s current primetime television contract expires June 30, 2008.

AFTRA’s negotiating team for the primetime talks will be headed by Primetime Negotiating Committee Chairman Matthew Kimbrough, along with AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon and AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth.

The talks will take place at AMPTP headquarters in Encino, California.

AFTRA will adhere to a press blackout during the talks.

AFTRA announced last week that its members ratified the recently negotiated Network Television Code; the agreement was ratified by a 93% margin.

The AFTRA Network Code agreement covers actors and all other on-camera and off-camera talent on all forms of television programming, including reality shows, syndicated dramas, daytime serials, game shows, talk shows, variety and musical programs, news, sports, and promotional announcements. Programs covered by the Code include “American Idol,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Late Show with David Letterman,” “Good Morning America,” “20/20,” “The View,” “The Tonight Show,” “Oprah,” “The Price is Right,” “Deal or No Deal,” “America’s Next Top Model,” “Days of Our Lives,” “All My Children,” “Cake,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Entertainment Tonight,” and “Survivor,” among others. The new three-year pact is effective from November 16, 2007 to November 15, 2010.

About AFTRA

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, is a national labor union of over 70,000 actors, singers and recording artists, dancers, announcers and other broadcast talent performers, journalists, and other artists working in the entertainment and news media. With more than 30 local chapters across the country, AFTRA promotes the success and welfare of members in a variety of ways, including contract negotiation and enforcement, advocating on legislative and public policy issues, supporting equal employment opportunities, and sponsoring or supporting health and retirement benefits and programs. For more information, visit http://www.aftra.com.