Here's a letter I emailed to the AMPTP

re: The Writer's Strike
As a viewer of television programming, and one who watches exclusively online, I am writing to respectfully express my support and concern for the interests of the writers who create the film and television programming I enjoy.

I am aware that the AMPTP and the WGA are working hard to negotiate a contract that will be fair and beneficial to all, and I hope that I might help by giving you some insight into the sudiences of these programs, paticularly the online audiences.

I do not have cable. My consumption of television comes solely from websites, such as Comedy Central, ifilm, and NBC.com. If I find a television show that I enjoy, like The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, or The Office, I often watch the same episode several times, and I return to the websites frequently to see various clips and to read any news or participate in discussions about the shows.

I also purchase DVDs of television programs.

As an online viewer, I am drawn to the other online activities surrounding the programs (especially message boards, where viewers gather to discuss, analyze and critique television shows they are watching). Because of this, I probably have a greater awareness of the work that goes into producing these shows than the audience who merely sits on the couch watching the TV (and I think the audience who merely sits on the couch is a smaller audience than those who watch TV, then get online to discuss it).

I have an appreciation not just for the performers, but for the writers, the directors, the set designers. I think this is something the AMPTP should be aware of as you continue these negotiations. The online audience is more savvy than the traditional television audience. We are interested, and I think you will find that we are supportive of the artists who create the shows we love.

I think you should also be aware of the fact that we are a community. We are watching and we are discussing the strike and the negotiations you are making, and we are discussing ways that we, the consumers of this media, can show our support for the writers during this time.

I have been reading news about the strike, and I am becoming increasingly disturbed by the treatment the writers are receiving at the hands of the AMPTP.

I am committed to avoiding any activity that may in any way contribute to this injustice. I do not intend to watch any online programming or to purchase any DVDs until I can be sure that the people who created the programming I enjoy are duly compensated.

I look forward to receiving your assurance that this will be so.