WGA strike prompts cuts by ABC

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- The Writers Guild of America strike has prompted ABC Studios to terminate the deals of nearly two dozen of its writers and non-writing producers.

In a statement released Friday, ABC Studios announced that the talent cuts were directly linked to the ongoing writers' strike, which has caused havoc in the U.S. entertainment industry, Variety reported.

"The ongoing strike has had a significant detrimental impact on development and production so we are forced to make the difficult decision to release a number of talented, respected individuals from their development deals," the studio said.

"Private Practice" star Taye Diggs was among those targeted by the studio's cuts as the actor's production deal with ABC Studios was officially terminated.

Variety said that, according to industry insiders, similar contractual cuts are expected in the near future from Warner Bros. TV.