Hollywood studios have offered striking writers a new contract - which would see them paid millions of dollars extra for Internet shows in a bid to end the current walkouts.

However, the Writers Guild of America - which has been striking since 5 November (07) - has asked for more time to consider whether to accept the offer and end the deadlock.

The offer, which has been dubbed the New Economic Partnership, includes payment for programmes which are shown on the web which would net workers an additional $130 million (£65,000) a year.

Union officials have demanded a recess in negotiations until Tuesday (04Dec07) to consider the proposals.

The news comes as TV talk-show host Conan O'Brien announced he will be paying 75 employees of his production team out of his own pocket while they remain at official picket lines.

Fellow TV personality David Letterman, announced shortly after the strike began that he would pay the salaries of staff members on Late Show With David Letterman and The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson until the end of the year (07).

U.S. chat shows have been the programmes worst effected by the strikes but the walkouts have also threatened production on other TV favourites including Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives.(LR/WNWA&WNWR/JC)

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