Canadian actor Seth Rogen has spoken of the personal uneasiness he feels about the secretive nature of streaming services and the fact that ratings for the shows they host are carefully monitored.
Rogen expressed personal dismay at the lack of transparency surrounding the success of shows and movies produced for platforms such as Netflix and Hulu.
He said the secrecy implied that such services withheld significant profits from show creators.
“I’m personally saddened that I have no idea how successful these shows and movies we’re making for streaming services are,” Rogen said during a green carpet interview with Variety.
“The secrecy just makes me think they’re making way more money off all of us than they’re willing to share with anyone. These executives earn insane salaries that you would only earn if you were running an incredibly profitable business.”
Actor and filmmaker Seth Rogen has said he is “disturbed” by the lack of transparency about the success of shows and movies made for streamers
Rogan’s candid nature was particularly courageous given that he was promoting his new show, Platonic, which appears on streaming service AppleTV+.
The show sees former best friends played by Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne approach midlife and reconnect after a long breakup; the duo’s friendship becomes more demanding and destabilizes their lives.
The filmmaker also pointed to the exorbitant salaries of executives, which he says raise questions about fair compensation and profit sharing.
The salary of Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos increased 31.5 percent to $50.3 million in 2022, consisting of $20 million base annual salary, $28.5 million in stock options and $1.79 million in other compensation.
At Apple, CEO Tim Cook’s target total compensation is $49 million by 2023, with a $3 million salary, $6 million cash incentive and $40 million in stock awards.
At Amazon, CEO Andy Jassy saw his 2022 compensation plummet in 2022, with a huge share price he received in 2021 forming the backbone of his long-term Amazon pay.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, left, salary increased 31.5 percent to $50.3 million in 2022
Amazon’s Andy Jassy, left, received $1.3 million in 2022, compared to $212 million in 2021, which was tied to his promotion to CEO of the company. Walt Disney will pay returning CEO Bob Iger, making about $27 million a year under a new two-year deal
Many streaming services now offer low-cost subscriptions with commercial breaks
Amazon’s Andy Jassy received $1.3 million in 2022, compared to $212 million in 2021, which was related to his promotion to CEO of the company.
Walt Disney will pay recurring CEO Bob Iger approximately $27 million annually under a new two-year agreement.
Earlier this week, Iger said Disney would make Hulu content available within the Disney+ platform by the end of the year.
All major streaming services are under increasing pressure to retain customers as the cost of living crisis hits and the pandemic wave subsides.
Disney+ also faces competition from Netflix, which has launched an ad-supported tier.
Rogan also praised unions for their ability to hold giant corporations accountable and ensure fair treatment of workers, citing the current writers’ strike.
“Thank God for these unions and their ability to force these giant corporations that banded together to lower workers’ wages to do something now and then and act fairly and equitably,” Rogen said.
Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen are seen at the premiere of Platonic at Regal LA Live
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) called for the strike on May 1 after the Guild failed to reach an agreement with higher wages from Hollywood studios like Netflix and Disney.
The studios have said they have made a “generous” offer to increase compensation.
Late night talk shows immediately went dark and some TV series and movies followed. The final season of Netflix hit Stranger Things has been paused. The Marvel movie Blade, starring Mahershala Ali, was canceled just before filming was due to start.
Production has also been halted for a number of programs, including Abbott Elementary, Yellowjackets, and Big Mouth.
It is unclear how long the strike will last. No new talks are scheduled between the Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the group that negotiates on behalf of studios.