TV Land and TV Guide Network have locked up basic cable rerun rights to HBO’s "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
The two networks will share custody of "Curb," with TV Guide Network getting first dibs on the Larry David comedy. The latter network will begin airing the show in February, while TV Land will take over the show as early as February 2013 (though that date could be pushed back should HBO extend its run of "Curb").
HBO and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution in May announced plans to syndicate "Curb" (as well as "Entourage") to the Tribune-owned stations and Tribune’s WGN America. Those plans aren’t impacted by the new deal, and "Curb" is set to hit local stations in fall 2010.
" ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ is one of the most clever, witty and groundbreaking shows on television and we’re excited to have it join our roster of top-quality sitcoms," said TV Land president Larry W. Jones. The irreverent way ‘Curb’ uses characters to illuminate real-life situations fit perfectly with our strategy of delivering programming that is geared to the life stage and attitudes of people in their 40s.”
"Curb" is now in its seventh season. There’s no word yet on whether creator David will bring the show back for another cycle of episodes.
HBO has been having plenty of success striking innovative syndication deals for its premium programming in recent years, defying skeptics who figured the network would be unable to fetch much coin for its shows outside of the HBO universe. Series successfully syndicated by HBO include "Sex and the City," "The Sopranos," "Curb" and "Entourage."
