Los Angeles  - Hollywood's movie studios Friday reached a tentative pay agreement with the Screen Actors Guild, the largest actors' union, ten months after the previous contract expired.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the proposed contract contains some minor improvements over previous offers but is largely similar to the one studios presented to SAG nine months ago.

That deal was rejected by hardline negotiators who have since been ousted by more moderate union factions. The agreement was hashed out during weeks of back-channel talks involving SAG interim executive director David White and top media executives, principally Walt Disney boss Bob Iger and Warner Bros chairman Barry Meyer. (dpa)