Writers' strike could end in next few days

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The WGA began its strike on Nov. 5 when it demanded more pay for films and TV shows that were downloaded from the Internet and sold on DVD. There seemed to be no signs of settling between the two parties, but now it seems the strike may end within the next two days.

The WGA has been conducting confidential talks with Hollywood studio bosses to resolve their issues. It's expected that a three-year deal will be presented to writers on Saturday, aiming for ratification by Sunday.

The leaders of WGA will submit this contract to thousands of members at two meetings in Los Angeles and New York. If they accept it, the contract will be approved officially by WGA on Sunday and the writers will start working on Monday.

Industry mag Variety says it may not go smoothly, as it's possible that not everyone will endorse the contract. One writer, Jim Kouf, told Variety he doesn’t want to rush signing it:

I do not want us to prematurely accept a bad contract, after everything we've been through."

The number of active members in WGA exceeds 10,000 and if the majority approve the contract, the writers may then resume their jobs right away.

If an agreement is reached, new shows are expected to air within the next two months, but will cost more. As Variety reports, "Some experts calculate episodes could cost an extra $200,000 (£102,700) each because of the extra costs to restart production."

The TV season is usually over just before the summer, so not all the shows will be back. Producers may choose to only go back into production for hit shows like CSI, Grey’s Anatomy, House, Lost and others. Shows like Cane and Bionic Woman may be cancelled this season.

If this deal gets approved this weekend, then it will be good news for the Oscars that are planned to take place Feb. 24.

The movie industry will also receive a boost by ending the strike, but they are less affected because of longer production schedules. Only newer movies will be postponed slightly.