• The Guardian, Wednesday, February 6, 2008 11:15 AM

While the end of the three-month writers strike may be near, the fallout from the spat continues with yet another studio threatening to rein in spending on pilot and development deals. Studios and broadcasters were already looking for ways to cut the cost of developing comedy and drama pilots as digital media cuts into network TV ad spend. But the production halt sped up that restructuring.

Peter Chernin, chief operating officer of the Fox TV network and News Corp., says he is looking to cut costs of production. And with the dispute estimated to have cost Hollywood studios $500 million, he adds that Fox network would produce fewer pilots.

"We were moving toward probably making fewer pilots and trying to get some waste out of the system before the strike," he says. "We will continue to look at that." Chernin's comments came a few weeks after NBC Universal chief executive, Jeff Zucker vowed to cut back on pilots as well.

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