The Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced on Sunday that it had reached a "tentative agreement" with the major Hollywood studios that would bring an end to the 146-day strike.

Why it matters: With a deal in hand with the writers, the studios can turn their attention toward cutting a deal with the actors' union to end the Hollywood labor stoppage for good.

Details: The WGA released a statement Sunday, after five days of continued negotiations, saying that a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) had been reached, but is "subject to drafting final contract language."

It noted that union members are not to return to work "until specifically authorized" to do so by the Guild. "We are still on strike until then. But we are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing," it added, encouraging writers to join the SAG-AFTRA picket lines this week.

The WGA lauded its members for their patience and determination throughout the process. "It is the leverage generated by your strike, in concert with the extraordinary support of our union siblings, that finally brought the companies back to the table to make a deal," it said.