ABC and Showtime interested in picking up Arrested Development

[uw_madtown]

Variety article

[ QUOTE ]
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.

[/ QUOTE ]

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.

[Soul Daddy]

Eggsalad.

I would absolutely consider ordering Showtime for AD.

[tomdemaine]

then you should email showtime and tell them that. It can't hurt.

[Soul Daddy]

I think I'll wait and see what develops. Obviously, I would rather ABC or FOX win out in this scenario.

[pryor15]

this is great news.

[Dudd]

Great news, hopefully Fox doesn't cancel it, but it's nice to know other networks are interested in picking it up should it happen.

[B Dids]

If I was NBC I'd be falling overmyself to put this together with Scrubs, The Office, and My Name is Earl and form the "slightly wacky commedy" night. I would watch that, and you would too.

[BottlesOf]

Fantastic. And FOX: you suck. If you can't figure out how to monetize one of the funniest shows on TV then YSSCKY.

[Aloysius]

[ QUOTE ]
Fantastic. And FOX: you suck. If you can't figure out how to monetize one of the funniest shows on TV then YSSCKY.

[/ QUOTE ]

JBB - don't hate Fox. Hate America. In large part the ratings will determine what can be monetized. It's a fairly simple analysis whether or not Fox should keep AD on the air.

If: (Network Ad Sales - License Fee) + ((Syndication Revenue + DVD Sales + Online Sales + VOD Sales) - (Production Cost + Other Expenses)) < 0... it's tough to justify keeping it on the air. It's a business after all.

I bet Fox would keep it on if it wasn't losing a LOT of $. The network I work for keeps unprofitable shows on the air for a variety of reasons. You'd think Fox would love to keep their critically acclaimed, Emmy winning jewel going if it wasn't very expensive to do so.

-Al

[B Dids]

Why we can hate Fox:

http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2683859 (profanity included)

Fox didn't put in the best effort trying to keep this show viable.