URGENT

Hollywood producers suspend talks with Screen Actors Guild

By RYAN NAKASHIMA

AP Business Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Hollywood producers on Tuesday broke off contract talks with the Screen Actors Guild, calling its demands for higher fees from DVD sales and online content "unreasonable," but they offered to renew negotiations at a future date.

"With SAG's continued adherence to unreasonable demands in both new and traditional media, continuing negotiations at this time does not make sense," the producers said in a statement.

The guild responded in a statement by saying the producers' decision to end talks after 18 days was "unfortunate."

Both sides have said they sought to avoid a repeat of the 100-day writers strike that ended in February. The union's contract for films and prime-time TV shows expires June 30.

"We made significant moves in their direction," Doug Allen, the guild's executive director, told The Associated Press. "We're trying to get the deal done and we're not the ones who walked away."

On Wednesday, the smaller actors union, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, takes its turn at the bargaining table.

AFTRA said it will impose a press blackout on details of its upcoming discussions, which involve actors on prime-time TV shows such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Rules of Engagement," "Cashmere Mafia" and "Til Death."

AFTRA's current prime-time television contract with the alliance also expires June 30.

A week ago, it said 93 percent of members who voted backed a separate deal with producers covering shows such as "Oprah" and "American Idol."

Writers and directors both reached new contract deals earlier this year.