Halt to writers' strike boosts programming supply

by Tristan O'Carroll, Media Week 13-Feb-08, 15:15

LONDON - The three-month strike by Hollywood writers that has dented the supply of key programming to UK broadcasters has formally ended.

The Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, the body that represents the Hollywood studios, and the Writers' Guild of America (WGA), have announced that a majority of WGA members have agreed to end the stoppage.

UK broadcasters have suffered in recent weeks with production of some of their biggest shows, such as Ugly Betty, coming to an end.

The WGA initiated its strike after failing to agree with the studios on the cut of revenues its members should take from the digital distribution of their shows via video-on-demand and mobile phones.

It is not yet known what agreement the writers and studios have struck on payments for digital distribution.