ABC and Showtime interested in picking up Arrested Development

[uw_madtown]

Variety article

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Fox still hasn't officially canceled "Arrested Development," but if it does, other networks are interested in the show.

Both ABC and Showtime have had conversations with 20th Century Fox TV and indicated they're open to making a deal for new episodes of the critically beloved, Emmy-winning comedy from creator Mitch Hurwitz. No formal negotiations have taken place, and there are still numerous hurdles that might prevent such a move -- including the show's hefty pricetag.

That said, those familiar with the talks described them as serious, with Showtime said to be in particularly hot pursuit of the ratings-challenged laffer, now on life support at Fox.

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Great, great news. Still might not happen, but I was skeptical that even on network would pursue the show, let alone two.

The article also mentions that AD costs 1.2 mil per episodes to make, and that FOX takes a 400k deficit on each episode right now. I'm guessing that if the move happens, it might mean a budget cut, and that the net they move to will have to guarantee 36 episodes so that they make enough for FOX to put it into syndication.