In a multi-year deal, Fox Television Stations group and Time Warner’s TBS will share the off-network syndication rights for CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory” (produced by Warner Bros. Domestic TV Distribution). The will put the show on Fox stations in 10 markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, DC, Houston, Phoenix, Miami, Orlando and Baltimore. TBS will be the exclusive cable syndication partner.
“When the top sitcom on television becomes available, you have to take it seriously from both a qualitative and competitive standpoint, which we did,” said Frank Cicha, SVP/programming, Fox Television Stations.
Added Ken Werner, President/Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution: “The Big Bang Theory’ presents an increasingly rare proposition for broadcast stations and cable services: the chance to acquire a traditional, multi-camera, A-tier comedy that is still expanding its audience on network television and which is poised for continued growth in future seasons, making it an asset that will only increase in value for Fox and TBS for years to come.”
Bidding for the show was reportedly between TBS, FX, USA Network and Comedy Central. On the broadcast side, the only other involved in the first round of bidding for sales in the major markets was Tribune Broadcasting.
