NEW YORK, NY November 05, 2007 —New York City film and television writers started their strike today by picketing at Rockefeller Center, near NBC's studios.

REPORTER: They were accompanied by a giant, inflatable rat, a familiar prop at union protests. Jonathan Bines writes for the late-night show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

BINES: Writers are just asking for share of revenue that comes from new media. Everyone knows future is in electronic distribution.

REPORTER: Late night talk shows are likely to be the first to feel the effects of the strike. The David Letterman Show, Late Night with Conan O'Brian, the Daily Show, and the Colbert Report are expected to go into reruns this week.

In 1988, a writer's strike lasted 22 weeks and cost the industry more than $500 million.