Breakdown prompts US strike fears

Three weeks of contract talks between the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the organisation that represents the major American studios have ended in stalemate, prompting fears of a strike.
The 100-day writers strike ended in February and is still affecting TV schedules. Stumbling blocks such as 'residual' rights relating to DVD sales, the internet and other new media are blocking progress.
The unrest has already had an impact with many shows in the US having decided against scheduling productions to happen after June 30, the date the current agreement between the studios and the unions ends, until agreement is reached.
According to Reuters, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the studios, said after the breakdown that: 'SAG's continued adherence to unreasonable demands' had led to the breakdown.
SAG has not yet released a statement.
A separate dispute between SAG and the other main acting union, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), has also fed the uneasiness.
In the past, the unions negotiated in tandem, but a split occurred prior to the current talks and the studios are expected to negotiate with AFTRA next.