Marathon talks aimed at avoiding a scripwriters' strike threatening to paralyse Hollywood ended today without a new deal but with promises to resume talks, temporarily averting the strike.
The strike was due to start 8 a.m. (Irish time)but contract talks between Hollywood screenwriters and producers and studio heads extended past the deadline.
Fears of a walkout have gripped the industry for months but the writers' guild has yet to call for a strike vote from its members.
Progress has been difficult to gauge because both sides have kept a strict news blackout since talks resumed April17th.
Both sides could choose to extend the contract and continuetalks, or members of the writers' guild could vote in the days ahead to authorise a strike, which could draw more pressure for a settlement.
Before the news blackout, the two sides had yet to bridge a $70 million gap between their demands. Failure to reach a deal could mean a strike that would halt film and television production, possibly delaying the autumn TV season.
AP