U.S. actors, TV networks agree to end 'casting couch'

NOW they are agreeing to this?

I didn't even realize private hotel room auditions were even going on.

Disgusting industry.

A bad day for the hotel industry :)

Why weren't such meetings taking place in a studio office in the first place?

The same Hollywood Hypocrities who support #metoo and #timesup also were proud participants of the casting couch system - either on the giving or receiving end.

With Hollywood, and the entertainment industry in general, there's no such thing as office hours. Business gets done at all hours of the day and night, at bars, restaurants, clubs, homes, hotels and in-office. So yes, it's been going on since the beginning - both the varying places of conducting business AND offering roles for sex (and it's been men/men, men/women, women/women, women/men).

It was done in private spaces probably to safeguard confidentiality. When you talk about commitment for long career movies/series with millions of $$$, it needs a safe place.

Why not indeed if it ensures less harassment ?