Writers Guild strike coming to a close soon?

As unlikely as it would have sounded a week ago, it looks like the Writers Guild of America strike may soon be no more. According to Variety, a lengthy session of negotiations on Friday led to a breakthrough on the terms of streaming Internet media. This has been perhaps the most contentious topic between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, and its resolution implies that both groups may be committed to finally compromising on their terms.

This has been the first big step forward since the strike began 13 weeks ago. While by no means the end of the strike, it does seem to indicate a level of cooperation between the WGA and the AMPTP that has long been absent. Speculation now has it that the most crucial aspect was timing, with TV execs seeing Feb. 15 as the final date to salvage the rest of the Spring 2008 season. Likewise, things need to be wrapped up by early March in order for film production in 2009 to stay on track.

The exact terms of agreement are still unclear, but it's said to involve a combination of a flat fee followed by a percentage gross. This is similar to the agreement reached by the DGA, and should help set a new precedent for the way media distribution is compensated.

In other strike-related news, the number of production companies that have reached interim agreements has bumped up to 17. With any luck, though, this won't make much of a difference for long.

Related links:
United Hollywood blog
WGA.org
Paste: The WGA Strike is on

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