While South Africa’s public broadcaster SABC tries to recover from many months of soap opera-esque antics involving altercations between its top management, its board and government, things aren’t that rosy for US TV networks either. According to The Hollywood Reporter, US networks have just experienced a “dismal” autumn season, are seeing their ad revenues plunge due to the economic crisis, and face the dire prospect of a strike by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

Earlier this year the networks produced a flurry of reality and other unscripted shows to counteract the effects of the months-long Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. If SAG goes on strike, however, only primetime drama and comedy series would be affected. Soaps and variety shows fall under the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (AFTRA), which managed to reach a contract deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) earlier this year.