The Writers Guild of America has defended its decision to allow striking writers the go-ahead to work on the Grammy Awards show next month.

The Hollywood writers guild said it would begin informal talks with studios today after agreeing to drop proposals to unionise reality and animation shows that had contributed to a negotiations deadlock.

Hopes were raised today that the Oscars could still go ahead next month after Hollywood directors reached a tentative contract deal with studios.

Organisers of the Oscars insisted the show would go on next month despite the Golden Globe ceremony being cancelled due to the Hollywood writers’ strike.

The traditional Golden Globe Awards ceremony has been scrapped over a boycott threat by stars, to be replaced with a news conference format, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association said today.

The Golden Globes and broadcasting giant NBC is poised to scrap the traditional show format to be picketed by striking writers, in favour of a news conference approach, a person close to the awards said.

Hollywood television and movie screenwriters are to go on strike for the first time in nearly 20 years in a dispute over royalties.