Despite 'winning' the tumultuous contract dispute with major studios and networks, writers for television shows could find their jobs canceled as a result of the strike. Pundits say that writers returning to struggling or new shows mid-season may find that networks will find it more cost-effective to simply run out the clock on the 2007-8 season with the replacement programming already in place, rather than spend money for production of new episodes for shows which have lost momentum and viewership. In addition, the strike could affect next year's season as well, if networks decide to order fewer shows in lieu of the shortened 'development' season for new projects.
See "Welcome back WGA. Here's your pink slips.", Tim Goodman, San Francisco Chronicle, February 10, 2008