Television Industry Associations, Unions & Guilds

Comprehensive directory of television industry organizations including broadcast associations, entertainment unions, professional guilds, and advocacy organizations representing over 400,000 media professionals across the United States.

170K+

SAG-AFTRA Members

168K+

IATSE Members

20K+

WGA Writers

17.5K+

DGA Directors

Table of Contents

Broadcast Industry Associations

Trade associations representing broadcast television stations, networks, and the broader telecommunications industry at the national level.

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)

Founded: 1923

Members: 8,300+ radio and TV stations

Headquarters: Washington, D.C.

NAB is the premier trade association advocating for America's radio and television broadcasters in Washington D.C. and around the world. Hosts the annual NAB Show, the world's largest convention encompassing media, entertainment, and technology. Advocates for free, local broadcasting and represents members before Congress, the FCC, and federal agencies.

Visit NAB.org

NCTA - The Internet & Television Association

Founded: 1952

Members: 90%+ of U.S. cable market

Headquarters: Washington, D.C.

NCTA represents the broadband and cable television industries, including major cable operators, programmers, and equipment suppliers. One of the most influential lobbying organizations for the video industry. Advocates for policies promoting broadband deployment and video marketplace competition.

Visit NCTA.com

Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)

Founded: 1924

Role: Collective bargaining representative

AMPTP is the trade association responsible for negotiating virtually all industry-wide guild and union contracts, including those with SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, and IATSE. Members include major studios, streaming services, and production companies.

Visit AMPTP.org

Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE)

Founded: 1969

Members: 14,000+ industry professionals

SCTE is a non-profit professional association for technical professionals in the cable telecommunications industry. Provides training, certification programs, and hosts the annual SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. Now part of CableLabs.

Visit SCTE.org

Entertainment Guilds & Unions

Labor unions representing creative talent in the television and film industries, including actors, directors, writers, and other above-the-line talent.

SAG-AFTRA

170,000+ Members

Full Name: Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

Formed: 2012 (merger of SAG and AFTRA)

Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 170,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists, and other media professionals. A member of the AFL-CIO, the union negotiates contracts covering film, television, radio, streaming, video games, and sound recordings.

Visit SAG-AFTRA.org

Directors Guild of America (DGA)

17,500+ Members

Founded: 1936 (as Screen Directors Guild)

Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA

DGA represents film and television directors, unit production managers, first and second assistant directors, technical coordinators, and associate directors. The guild merged with the Radio Television Directors Guild in 1960. DGA advocates for creative rights, fair compensation, and working conditions for directors in motion pictures, television, and new media.

Visit DGA.org

Writers Guild of America (WGA)

20,000+ Members

Founded: 1933 (predecessor organizations)

Structure: WGA West (Los Angeles) & WGA East (New York)

The Writers Guild represents writers in film, television, streaming, radio, and digital media. WGA West and WGA East operate as separate but affiliated unions. The guild negotiates the Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) covering residuals, credits, minimum compensation, and creative rights. Key 2023 negotiations addressed AI use in writing and streaming compensation.

WGA West WGA East

Producers Guild of America (PGA)

Founded: 1950

Members: 8,200+ producers

PGA represents film, television, and new media producers. Unlike SAG-AFTRA, DGA, and WGA, PGA is a professional organization rather than a labor union and does not engage in collective bargaining. Establishes producing credits standards and hosts the annual Producers Guild Awards.

Visit ProducersGuild.org

Technical & Craft Unions

Labor unions representing below-the-line crew members, technicians, and craftspeople who work in television and film production.

IATSE

168,000+ Members

Full Name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees

Founded: 1893

Headquarters: New York, NY

IATSE represents technicians, artisans, and craftspersons in the entertainment industry including camera operators, editors, art directors, costume designers, hair stylists, makeup artists, lighting technicians, props masters, set designers, and many more crafts. Covers live theatre, film, television, broadcast, trade shows, and digital media production.

Visit IATSE.net

Teamsters Motion Picture Division

Parent: International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Members: 12,000+ in entertainment

The Teamsters Motion Picture Division represents drivers, location managers, casting directors, animal trainers, and wranglers in film and television production. Local 399 in Los Angeles is the primary entertainment local, founded in 1928.

Visit Teamsters Local 399

IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers)

Role: Broadcast engineers and technicians

IBEW represents broadcast engineers and electrical technicians at television stations, networks, and production facilities across the country. Local 45 in Hollywood represents broadcast technicians at major studios and networks.

Visit IBEW.org

NABET-CWA

Full Name: National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians - Communications Workers of America

NABET-CWA represents broadcast technicians, engineers, and other technical personnel at networks, cable channels, and production facilities. Key contracts include ABC, NBC, and PBS.

Visit NABET-CWA.org

American Federation of Musicians (AFM)

Founded: 1896

Members: 70,000+ musicians

AFM represents musicians who perform and record music for film, television, commercials, and video games. Negotiates contracts covering scoring sessions, residuals, and working conditions for recording musicians.

Visit AFM.org

Costume Designers Guild (IATSE Local 892)

Members: 1,400+ costume professionals

CDG represents costume designers, assistant costume designers, and costume illustrators in film and television. Hosts the annual Costume Designers Guild Awards recognizing excellence in costume design.

Visit CDG

Awards & Recognition Organizations

Television Academy (Emmys)

Founded: 1946

Award: Primetime Emmy Awards

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences presents the Primetime Emmy Awards honoring excellence in American primetime programming. Also presents Creative Arts Emmys for technical and artistic achievement.

Visit Emmys.com

National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS)

Founded: 1957

Awards: Daytime Emmys, News & Documentary Emmys, Sports Emmys, Technology & Engineering Emmys

NATAS presents Emmy Awards for daytime programming, news and documentary, sports, and technology/engineering achievement. Operates separately from the Television Academy which handles primetime programming.

Visit TheEmmys.tv

International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

Award: International Emmy Awards

Recognizes excellence in television produced outside the United States. Categories include drama, comedy, documentary, and non-English language programming.

Visit iEmmys.tv

Television Critics Association (TCA)

Members: 200+ TV critics and journalists

TCA represents television critics from major print, online, and broadcast outlets. Presents annual TCA Awards and hosts semi-annual press tours where networks present upcoming programming.

Visit TCA

Diversity & Inclusion Organizations

NAMIC (National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications)

NAMIC is the premier organization focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the communications industry. Provides professional development, networking, and advocacy for people of color in cable, telecommunications, and digital media.

Visit NAMIC.com

Minority Media and Telecommunications Council (MMTC)

MMTC is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving equal opportunity and civil rights in the mass media, telecommunications, and broadband industries.

Visit MMTC

Walter Kaitz Foundation

The Walter Kaitz Foundation supports diversity initiatives in the cable and telecommunications industry. Hosts the annual Kaitz Dinner, the industry's largest diversity event, and provides scholarships and fellowships.

Visit WalterKaitz.org

WICT (Women in Cable Telecommunications)

WICT advances women in the cable telecommunications industry through leadership programs, networking, and advocacy. Provides the industry's PAR (Pay Equity, Advancement, and Representation) Initiative data.

Visit WICT.org

State Broadcaster Associations

Each state has a broadcaster association representing local radio and television stations. These organizations advocate for local broadcasting, provide member services, and work with state legislatures on media policy.

State broadcaster associations are typically affiliated with NAB and provide local advocacy, emergency broadcast coordination, job listings, and professional development for station staff. Contact your state association for local resources:

  • Alabama Broadcasters Association
  • Alaska Broadcasters Association
  • Arizona Broadcasters Association
  • Arkansas Broadcasters Association
  • California Broadcasters Association
  • Colorado Broadcasters Association
  • Connecticut Broadcasters Association
  • Delaware Broadcasters Association
  • Florida Association of Broadcasters
  • Georgia Association of Broadcasters
  • Hawaii Assn. of Broadcasters
  • Idaho State Broadcasters Association
  • Illinois Broadcasters Association
  • Indiana Broadcasters Association
  • Iowa Broadcasters Association
  • Kansas Association of Broadcasters
  • Kentucky Broadcasters Association
  • Louisiana Association of Broadcasters
  • Maine Association of Broadcasters
  • Maryland/DC/Delaware Broadcasters
  • Massachusetts Broadcasters Association
  • Michigan Association of Broadcasters
  • Minnesota Broadcasters Association
  • Mississippi Association of Broadcasters
  • Missouri Broadcasters Association
  • Montana Broadcasters Association
  • Nebraska Broadcasters Association
  • Nevada Broadcasters Association
  • New Hampshire Assn. of Broadcasters
  • New Jersey Broadcasters Association
  • New Mexico Broadcasters Association
  • New York State Broadcasters
  • North Carolina Assn. of Broadcasters
  • North Dakota Broadcasters Association
  • Ohio Association of Broadcasters
  • Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters
  • Oregon Association of Broadcasters
  • Pennsylvania Assn. of Broadcasters
  • Rhode Island Broadcasters Association
  • South Carolina Broadcasters Association
  • South Dakota Broadcasters Association
  • Tennessee Association of Broadcasters
  • Texas Association of Broadcasters
  • Utah Broadcasters Association
  • Vermont Association of Broadcasters
  • Virginia Association of Broadcasters
  • Washington State Assn. of Broadcasters
  • West Virginia Broadcasters Association
  • Wisconsin Broadcasters Association
  • Wyoming Association of Broadcasters

Frequently Asked Questions

SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) is a labor union formed in 2012 from the merger of SAG and AFTRA. It represents approximately 170,000 media professionals including actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, and voiceover artists. The union negotiates contracts covering film, television, streaming, video games, radio, and sound recordings.

SAG-AFTRA membership requires meeting one of three criteria: being cast in a SAG-AFTRA covered production (working under a SAG-AFTRA contract), being a paid member of an affiliated union (like AEA or AGVA) for at least one year, or completing three days of background work under SAG-AFTRA contracts. The initial membership fee is currently $3,000, plus semi-annual dues based on earnings. Once eligible, you can join by submitting proof of eligibility and paying the initiation fee at any SAG-AFTRA office.

In Hollywood terminology, "guilds" (DGA, WGA, SAG-AFTRA) typically represent above-the-line creative talent (directors, writers, actors), while "unions" (IATSE, Teamsters, IBEW) typically represent below-the-line technical crew. However, both are labor unions in the legal sense - they negotiate collective bargaining agreements, set minimum wages and working conditions, and can strike. The Producers Guild (PGA) is an exception - it's a professional organization, not a labor union, and does not engage in collective bargaining.

In 2023, both WGA and SAG-AFTRA went on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The WGA strike lasted from May 2 to September 27, 2023 (148 days). SAG-AFTRA struck from July 14 to November 9, 2023 (118 days). Key issues included streaming residuals, minimum compensation, and the use of artificial intelligence in writing and for creating digital replicas of actors. Both unions won significant gains in their new contracts, including better streaming bonuses, AI protections, and increased minimums.

IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) represents over 168,000 technicians, artisans, and craftspersons. Covered crafts include: camera operators, editors, art directors, set decorators, property masters, costume designers, hair stylists, makeup artists, lighting technicians, grips, sound technicians, special effects, visual effects, script supervisors, location managers, production coordinators, and many more. IATSE has jurisdiction over live theatre, film, television, broadcast, trade shows, and digital production.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is a trade association representing 8,300+ radio and television stations. NAB advocates for the broadcast industry before Congress, the FCC, and federal agencies on issues like spectrum allocation, copyright, and content regulation. NAB hosts the annual NAB Show in Las Vegas, the world's largest media and entertainment technology convention. NAB also provides member services including research, legal resources, and professional development programs.

Residuals are payments made to performers and writers when their work is reused or rebroadcast beyond the initial use. For television, residuals are paid when shows are rerun, syndicated, released on home video/streaming, or sold to foreign markets. The amount varies based on the type of reuse, the market, and contract terms negotiated by SAG-AFTRA and WGA. Streaming residuals became a major issue in 2023 as unions fought for better compensation for content on platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+, where traditional rerun/syndication models don't apply.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) is the trade association that negotiates virtually all industry-wide guild and union contracts on behalf of studios, networks, and streaming services. Members include Disney, Netflix, Amazon, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCUniversal, Sony, Paramount, Apple TV+, and other major entertainment companies. When unions like SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, or IATSE negotiate new contracts, AMPTP represents the employer side of the table.

Emmy Awards are presented by three separate organizations: The Television Academy presents Primetime Emmys for evening programming; NATAS (National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences) presents Daytime Emmys, News & Documentary Emmys, Sports Emmys, and Technology & Engineering Emmys; and the International Academy presents International Emmys for non-U.S. programming. Voting members must be professionals working in television. The Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony typically airs in September on a rotating basis between the Big Four networks.

A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is a contract between a union and employers that establishes wages, working conditions, benefits, and other terms of employment. In Hollywood, major CBAs include the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Contract, DGA Basic Agreement, WGA Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA), and IATSE Basic Agreement. These contracts typically last 3 years and cover minimum pay scales, overtime rules, meal breaks, turnaround time, residuals, health and pension contributions, and creative rights. Negotiations happen when contracts expire, and strikes can occur if agreement isn't reached.

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Last updated on November 27, 2025