In spite of a media blackout, word has it that the several months long writer's strike is about to come to an end.

Late Friday night, the Associated Press reported that a breakthrough in contract talks has been reached between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and could lead to a tentative deal as early as this week.

The most problematic issues, those concerning compensation for projects distributed via the Internet, were apparently sorted out on Friday leaving only some minor elements to sort out. Once settled, the tentative agreement would have to be approved by a majority of guild members.

The WGA Presidents issued a short e-mail on the weekend saying merely that "we are still in talks and do not yet have a contract. When and if a tentative agreement is reached, the first thing we will do is alert our membership with an e-mail message. Until then, please disregard rumors about either the existence of an agreement or its terms."

Now, Deadline Hollywood Daily reports that Fox CEO Peter Chernin was apparently overheard at yesterday's Superbowl game saying that the strike is essentially over.