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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Talks fail to end Hollywood row | Talks fail to end Hollywood row |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Hollywood screenwriters and producers have failed to resolve a contract dispute at last-ditch talks. | Hollywood screenwriters and producers have failed to resolve a contract dispute at last-ditch talks. |
| The failure means the writers may stage a strike that could cripple production of many television programmes. | The failure means the writers may stage a strike that could cripple production of many television programmes. |
| Studios have stockpiled scripts, but they will have no writers for comedy programmes that depend on topical gags. | Studios have stockpiled scripts, but they will have no writers for comedy programmes that depend on topical gags. |
| Writers are seeking extra payments for their work when it is re-used on other media platforms such as DVDs, the internet and mobile phones. | Writers are seeking extra payments for their work when it is re-used on other media platforms such as DVDs, the internet and mobile phones. |
| Their current contract with the studios is set to expire at 0001 local time (0701 GMT) with no replacement agreed. | |
| The writers could agree to continue working under the terms of their old contract if negotiations continue, but no new talks were immediately scheduled. | |
| Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) voted unanimously in favour of strike action two weeks ago. | |
| The last major WGA strike in 1988 lasted 22 weeks, delayed the start of the autumn TV season and cost the industry an estimated $500m. |