Breakthrough in talks could end writers' strike

HOLLYWOOD — A breakthrough in contract talks has been reached between studios and striking writers and could lead to a tentative deal this week, people close to the negotiations said Saturday.

After two weeks of talks, writers and major studios on Friday bridged the gap on the central issues surrounding how much writers should be paid for work distributed via the Internet, said three people close to the talks.

A final contract could be presented to the Writers Guild of America's board this week, the people said. Attorneys from studios and the guild were meeting this weekend to discuss language for the proposed agreement, whose ratification by the union's 10,500 members would be required.

Representatives of the Writers Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents studios, declined to comment.

Writers began their strike Nov. 5 in a dispute largely over new-media pay. Talks revived two weeks ago, after studios negotiated a contract with the Directors Guild of America.

The writers agreement is modeled on the directors pact, which doubles residual payments for films and TV shows sold online and secures the union's jurisdiction over shows created for the Internet.

Writers and studios alike have confronted pressure to end a strike that has hobbled the TV season and kept in limbo the Feb. 24 Oscars.

Material from The Associated Press

is included in this report.