Strike Breakthrough

Rumours indicate that informal talks between the WGA and representatives from the AMPTP have wrought a breakthrough in the screenwriters strike in the USA.

Formal talks collapsed in December when the AMPTP walked out. Informal talks began about two weeks ago, but this time with Peter Chernin of Fox, Disney president Robert Iger, and News Corp. COO Peter Chernin on the producers' side. Rumours started on Thursday that there was an imminent breakthrough, and while neither side is commenting, it is understood that the skeleton of a deal was put in place on Friday when the producers addressed some key points. The WGA now believes that it has enough to take to its Board - which might happen next Friday - once the lawyers have turned the agreement into 'contract language'.

Of course it's early days yet, but it looks as if, on the key issue of compensation and jurisdiction online, real progress has been made by the WGA.