TNT Acquires Off-Net Rights to 'Mentalist'

Repeats of the CBS drama ‘The Mentalist’ will land on TNT starting in 2012.

The Turner Networks-owned cable channel announced Friday that it had purchased from Warner Bros. Domestic Television the exclusive off-network rights to the show, which stars Simon Baker as a highly perceptive crime-fighter.

“‘The Mentalist’ is a terrific show that will be an ideal fit for TNT’s already strong lineup,” said Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. “The early success of the series also indicates ‘The Mentalist’ has a great future."

Launching last season, the show was a hit for CBS right out of the gate, but has struggled to match its incendiary freshman performance this year while going directly against ABC’s "Private Practice" at 10 p.m. on Thursdays. It has dramatically improved the network's performance in the timeslot, however.

The deal for "Mentalist" comes one day after CBS Television Distribution announced a blockbuster pact with USA to bring repeats of just-launched "NCIS: Los Angeles" to USA Network.