Writers Hold ‘Substantive’ Talks

Hollywood writers are “optimistic” about bringing an end to their strike after
promising developments in contract negotiations with studio bosses.

The upbeat note comes after two days of discussions between writers and
producers to settle a dispute over royalty payments, and is the strongest sign
yet that progress is being made toward reaching a deal to end the picket
lines.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) said it held “substantive” talks with the
studios, but was still waiting for a response to all of its proposals. Talks
are due to resume on Thursday (06Dec07).

WGA union members have been on strike since 5 November (07). Their demands
have focused on a greater share of revenue for content distributed via the
internet.

Studios had proposed a flat $250 (£125) payment for a year’s use of an
hour-long TV show on the web. In contrast, writers currently earn $20,000
(£10,000) for a single repeat of an episode on one broadcasting network.

Last week, the WGA rejected an offer of an extra $130 million (£65 million)
in royalties over three years, describing it as a “massive rollback”.

The strike has become the worst crisis to hit the U.S. film and TV industry
in 20 years, halting production on popular shows like Grey’s Anatomy and
Desperate Housewives, as well as a number of big-screen projects.

(CG/WNWCCB/MT)