A spokesman for film and television producers says a tentative deal has been reached with writers, averting a costly strike that would have blacked out popular television shows.

Producers' spokesman Jarryd Gonzales confirmed the agreement early Tuesday, but no further details were immediately available.

The two sides held to a media blackout during negotiations. The issues at stake include compensation and health care.

The previous writers' strike occurred nearly 10 years ago and immediately sent late-night talks shows into reruns. It gradually took a wider toll on Hollywood TV and movie production and the California economy.