Writers vote to accept new pay deal

Hollywood writers have voted overwhelmingly to approve a new contract with studios that increases payment for shows offered on the internet.

The Writers Guild of America says the deal was endorsed by 93.6% of those who voted in Los Angeles and New York.

The contract was approved through a postal ballot that came after members were briefed two weeks ago on the deal and voted to end the 100-day strike that devastated the entertainment industry.

Under the contract, writers will get a maximum flat fee of about $1,200 (€798) for programmes streamed on the internet during the deal’s first two years and then get 2% of a distributor’s gross in year three.