Capitalizing quickly on its freshman hits, Twentieth Television has brokered two major cable distribution deals, sending repeats of Fox TV musical hit “Glee” to Oxygen and re-runs of ABC single-camera comedy to USA Network, officials close to the deals confirmed.
Both shows will begin Monday-Friday strip runs on their respective networks beginning in 2010.
According to an official with knowledge of the two deals, USA Network will be paying a license fee to Fox on par with the $1.5 million-per-episode rate Turner recently shelled out to acquire off-network runs of “Big Bang Theory.”
According to an Oxygen release, "Glee" will make its initial appearance on the channel next Janauary, with the NBC Universal-owned cable channel running a weekend marathon of the show.
Oxygen, meanwhile, will also launch a reality-competition show in June 2011 that will feature youthful contestants vyinng to become a "Glee" cast member. Starting in 2013, the network will retain exclusive basic cable rights to all "Glee" episodes."This is a unique syndication opportunity, and we're thrilled to be working on it with Oxygen," said Steve MacDonald, executive VP, general sales manager, basic cable for Twentieth Television. "This deal not only provides viewers with the opportunity to see even more of the drama, comedy, song and dance that they have come to expect from 'Glee,' but also extends the reach of this pop-culture phenomenon's brand through a new reality series."
Meanwhile, commenting on the acquisition of "Modern Family" for fall 2013, Jane Blaney, USA's executive VP of programming, acquisitions and scheduling, said, "This is by far the most significant sitcom acquisition we have ever made. 'Modern Family' is the hottest new sitcom that premiererd during the '09-'10 TV season and it's a perfect fit for USA."
