Critics' press tour canceled

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- A series of news conferences and parties in Los Angeles, designed to introduce the media to upcoming television shows and their stars, has been canceled.

The TV Critics' Association winter press tour was axed due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, Variety.com reported Tuesday.

Talks between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers broke down last week.

"We just ran out of time," TCA President Dave Walker told Daily Variety. "Even if there were a stunning surprise settlement, the networks have said it would be difficult" to plan a two-week January media tour.

The cancellation is another blow to the local economy, since the tour generally attracts hundreds of reporters and publicists to the Los Angeles area where they stay in hotels and eat in restaurants. It also means the networks won't be spending the millions of dollars on parties to entertain the media during a tour this winter, the trade paper said.