Striking film and television writers strengthened their resolve to continue picketing in the face of media reports of an imminent deal with the Hollywood studios. “Now is when showing up counts the most,” said Michael Tabb, a filmwriter from Porter Ranch who has been a strike captain outside The Walt Disney Co. since the strike began in November. The Los Angeles Times, New York Times and other media outlets reported the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers had reached an outline of a new contract. A final contract could be presented to the WGA board for approval as early as Feb. 8, the L.A. Times reported. A recorded telephone message to Guild members sent on Feb. 3, however, cautioned that the strike was not over and to “set aside” rumors and second guessing. Picketing continued at NBC Studios and Warner Bros. Studios, also in Burbank; and the CBS lot in Studio City. The writers began their walkout nearly three months ago after talks with the Sherman Oaks-based Alliance failed to result in a new contract. The main sticking point has been pay for writers whose work is distributed online and through mobile devices. The informal talks between the Guild and Alliance have made progress on compensation through new media, the L.A. Times said. In the Guild’s corner is the approaching Academy Awards on Feb. 24. ABC, the Disney-owned network, stands to lose millions in advertising revenue if the broadcast is scaled back – as happened with the Golden Globes – or cancelled. Plus there are millions more in ancillary advertising for the studios to promote their nominated films. “People will want to see the movies everyone is talking about,” Tabb said. “Every studio gets something from the Oscars.”