Big drop in SAG TV earnings

They fell 8.2 percent last year and are now 24 percent below 2007 levels. But earnings for feature film and commercial work were up in 2010. The mixed picture is bound to perk up more interest in a SAG-AFTRA merger. From Variety:

SAG appears to be continuing to be paying the price for its aggressive stance during 2008 and 2009, when AFTRA split off from joint negotiations and SAG insisted on a better deal than the other Hollywood unions. That led to AFTRA concluding a deal a year before SAG in July 2008 -- despite SAG's fervent opposition to ratification on the grounds that the AFTRA deal fell short in new media compensation.

Studios can choose between SAG and AFTRA jurisdiction now that most pilots are shot in high-definition video. SAG has jurisdiction over projects shot in film, but that's becoming rare in TV production.