Oscars hope as Hollywood writers strike nears conclusion

London, Feb 10 : A crippling strike by Hollywood TV and movie writers neared its conclusion on Feb 9, after union leaders announced that a tentative deal had been reached to end the three-month dispute.

Writers Guild of America co-presidents Patric Verrone and Michael Winship notified 10,500 striking writers that the union had reached a tentative agreement with the major film studios and TV networks.

Terms of the deal are to be discussed on Feb 10 in separate membership meetings in New York and Los Angeles.

If approved, writers could be back at their jobs from Feb 11, to resume work on the sitcoms, dramas and chat shows that have been forced to fall back on re-runs since November 5.

However, the most significant impact of the deal would be the green signal to Oscars, that will go ahead as scheduled February 24, reports the Telegraph.

The union had promised to picket the event, traditionally one of the most-watched TV broadcasts of the year.

Oscars organisers had drawn up emergency plans for a scaled-back show based on pre-taped segments.

ANI