NBC has inked an innovative three-series deal with Ice Road Truckers creator Thom Beers and producers Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun.
Under the pact, the network has given the green light to three hourlong action-adventure reality series from the trio to run in a programming block. The order for each series is at least 10 episodes, bringing the total of the network's on-air commitment to more than 30 hours of primetime fare.
As part of the deal, BermanBraun and Beers' Original Prods. also has received three pilot commitments for future unscripted projects.
In ordering three series simultaneously, NBC is getting network-quality unscripted shows at a lower price. For pitching in on the financing of the series, BermanBraun and Original retain international rights.
Under new programming topper Ben Silverman, NBC already has experimented with straight-to-series orders on the scripted side with Fear Itself and Robinson Crusoe -- both from independent companies, Lionsgate and U.K.'s Power -- at a reduced license fee. Those deals also include a guaranteed number of episodes, 13, as well as the producers retaining the series' international rights.
Ordering a full block of tonally and thematically linked reality series marks a new business and programming model for the broadcast networks.
"We've seen with two-hour 'Deal or No Deal' or 'The Biggest Loser' that airing things similar in theme back-to-back helps carry over the audience," NBC reality chief Craig Plestis said.
The three series are intended to run in a three-hour block.
Under the pact, the network has given the green light to three hourlong action-adventure reality series from the trio to run in a programming block. The order for each series is at least 10 episodes, bringing the total of the network's on-air commitment to more than 30 hours of primetime fare.
As part of the deal, BermanBraun and Beers' Original Prods. also has received three pilot commitments for future unscripted projects.
In ordering three series simultaneously, NBC is getting network-quality unscripted shows at a lower price. For pitching in on the financing of the series, BermanBraun and Original retain international rights.
Under new programming topper Ben Silverman, NBC already has experimented with straight-to-series orders on the scripted side with Fear Itself and Robinson Crusoe -- both from independent companies, Lionsgate and U.K.'s Power -- at a reduced license fee. Those deals also include a guaranteed number of episodes, 13, as well as the producers retaining the series' international rights.
Ordering a full block of tonally and thematically linked reality series marks a new business and programming model for the broadcast networks.
"We've seen with two-hour 'Deal or No Deal' or 'The Biggest Loser' that airing things similar in theme back-to-back helps carry over the audience," NBC reality chief Craig Plestis said.
The three series are intended to run in a three-hour block.
- 12/3/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The History Channel scored Sunday night with the series premiere of Ice Road Truckers at 10 p.m. According to Nielsen Media Research, the telecast averaged 3.4 million total viewers, the most ever for an original program on the network.
Meanwhile, Lifetime's new drama series Army Wives got a bump in its third week. The series averaged 3.8 million total viewers at 10 p.m. Sunday, up from its June 3 premiere (3.5 million) and its second episode (3.3 million).
Meanwhile, Lifetime's new drama series Army Wives got a bump in its third week. The series averaged 3.8 million total viewers at 10 p.m. Sunday, up from its June 3 premiere (3.5 million) and its second episode (3.3 million).
- 6/19/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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