Updated below: The informal talks between WGA and AMPTP have reached a crucial stage and a deal may come as early as next week, report AP and NYT, citing sources. Among the supposed agreement includes how to compensate writers for online shows, though both sides still need to agree on specific language. An agreement may be presented to the governing boards of the striking WGA West and WGA East by the end of next week, the NYT story says. Any deal would also need to be ratified a majority of the more than 10,000 active WGA members.

Updated: LAT reports that the tentative agreement is largely modeled on the directors’ pact earlier in Jan, though some changes have been made. Those included more favorable pay terms for streaming than those offered to directors. Studios also offered “separated rights” provisions for shows created for the Web, ensuring, for example, that writers would receive extra compensation and credit for online shows that spawn TV pilots, the story says.

But some issues are yet to be resolved, including defining what qualifies as promotion on the Internet, meaning the extent to which networks can run video online to promote TV programs before paying writers.