This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/7235623.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Deal 'to end US writers' strike' Deal 'may end US writers' strike'
(20 minutes later)
There is optimism that the writers' strike in the US could be resolved at the weekend, according to reports.There is optimism that the writers' strike in the US could be resolved at the weekend, according to reports.
It is expected a three-year deal will be presented to writers on Saturday, aiming for ratification by Sunday.It is expected a three-year deal will be presented to writers on Saturday, aiming for ratification by Sunday.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been conducting confidential talks with studio bosses to resolve the dispute which began on 5 November. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been conducting confidential talks with studio bosses to resolve the dispute, which began on 5 November.
Script writers want to be paid more for films and TV shows which are downloaded from the internet or sold on DVD. Scriptwriters want to be paid more for films and TV shows that are downloaded from the internet or sold on DVD.
The Los Angeles Times says guild leaders will put the contract to thousands of members at two meetings in Los Angeles and New York. The Los Angeles Times said guild leaders would put the contract to thousands of members at two meetings in Los Angeles and New York.
ApprovalApproval
If accepted, the WGA's board could approve the contract on Sunday and urge writers back to work the following day, adds the newspaper. If accepted, the WGA's board could approve the contract on Sunday and urge writers back to work the following day, the newspaper added.
Industry journal Variety says there is some concern from guild members about the potential deal. But industry journal Variety said there was some concern from guild members about the potential deal.
"I'm going to hear what they have to say on Saturday before I decide," striking writer Jim Kouf told the publication."I'm going to hear what they have to say on Saturday before I decide," striking writer Jim Kouf told the publication.
Fox's House starring Hugh Laurie is expected to return quickly Fox's House starring Hugh Laurie is expected to return quickly"I do not want us to prematurely accept a bad contract, after everything we've been through."
"I do not want us to prematurely accept a bad contract, after everything we've been through," he added.
Any deal would have to be approved by a majority of the guild's active members, which number more than 10,000.Any deal would have to be approved by a majority of the guild's active members, which number more than 10,000.
If agreement is reached, studio executives say it will take about two months for new programmes to emerge. If agreement is reached, studio executives said it would take about two months for new programmes to emerge.
Some experts calculate episodes could cost an extra $200,000 (£102,700) each because of the extra costs to restart production.Some experts calculate episodes could cost an extra $200,000 (£102,700) each because of the extra costs to restart production.
Cancellation riskCancellation risk
Studios will have to decide which of the 65 series affected will come back, with hits House, CSI, Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives likely to get priority. Studios will have to decide which of the 65 affected series will come back, with hits House, CSI, Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives likely to get priority.
Other series including Cane and Bionic Woman are at risk of cancellation, according to the LA Times.Other series including Cane and Bionic Woman are at risk of cancellation, according to the LA Times.
Movies have been less severely affected because they have longer production times.Movies have been less severely affected because they have longer production times.
Two high profile productions, the Da Vinci Code prequel Angels and Demons and Johnny Depp's Shantaram, could be up and running quickly.Two high profile productions, the Da Vinci Code prequel Angels and Demons and Johnny Depp's Shantaram, could be up and running quickly.
A deal would guarantee that this month's Academy Awards ceremony will take place on 24 February. A deal would also guarantee that this month's Academy Awards ceremony will take place as planned on 24 February.
The strike, which began nearly three months ago, has hit film and TV production across the US and caused the cancellation of last month's Golden Globes awards ceremony. The strike has hit film and TV production across the US and caused the cancellation of last month's Golden Globes awards ceremony.