SAG-AFTRA ‘s Tentative 2026 Television Animation Agreement

SAG-AFTRA has released a summary of its tentative 2026 Television Animation Agreement, including updates to the AI provisions applicable to animation voice actors.

Importantly, AI protections were already part of SAG-AFTRA's animation agreements, and the union's recent live-action agreements also included significant AI provisions. This tentative agreement largely builds on that existing framework while adding several new protections and clarifications.

Among the notable updates:

• Consent generally will be required before using a voice actor's digital replica to dub a performance into another language.

• New minimum compensation and residual requirements apply to certain uses of independently created digital replicas.

• Expanded protections apply even where a digital replica is created without a traditional scan of the performer.

• Producers must implement safeguards to protect digital replicas from unauthorized access and use.

• Additional restrictions and bargaining obligations apply to AI-generated "synthetic" performances.

• Producers licensing covered performances for commercial generative AI training must notify the union and discuss the arrangement upon request.