NBC brings feds into fight

Net has beef with scribes

By DAVE MCNARY

NBC Universal TV has filed a complaint with the federal government against the Writers Guild of America, alleging the guild is violating labor law by telling showrunners not to cooperate in the production of Webisodes.

Net filed the complaint Wednesday with the Natl. Labor Relations Board, asserting that the WGA's actions are illegal because the Peacock has an existing deal that allows it to ask TV producers to produce made-for-Internet content for four shows it owns -- "Battlestar Galactica," "Crossing Jordan," "Heroes" and "The Office."

Complaint also alleges the WGA is violating labor law by telling showrunners not to provide supervisory services for these Webisodes because the guild lacks jurisdiction over supervisory services. The filing listed "Battlestar Galactica," "Crossing Jordan," "Heroes" and "The Office."

WGA West spokesman Gabriel Scott had no comment, adding that the guild had not seen the complaint.

NBC, more than any other network, has placed a high priority on the inclusion of an added digital component, such as Webisodes, in its series. Shows like "The Office" have benefited greatly from the buzz that comes with Web-exclusive content. (The Steve Carell skein produced several five-minute Webisodes that ran on NBC.com this summer.)

"NBC Universal has a contract in place with its TV series producers to create promotional, made-for-internet content, which include Webisodes," said an NBC U TV rep. "We're asking our producers to fulfill their obligations in creating these materials, and we're taking appropriate legal action to discourage the WGA's interference."

Complaint underscores the increasing climate of hostility toward the WGA at the nets. The guild's battling the CW over its refusal to grant jurisdiction over "America's Next Top Model"; earlier this week, CBS unveiled plans for online streaming of the primetime shows it owns without any advance notification to the WGA, SAG or DGA.

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