Shopping 'Southland'

So the folks behind the recently canceled "Southland" are working the phones today, hitting up every cable network they can think of that might be interested in the cop drama. 

First on everyone's list for taking the departed NBC drama is TNT. For starters, "Southland" is produced by Warner Bros., which like TNT is owned by Time Warner, so there is a family connection. Second, while "The Closer" is still going gangbusters for TNT, the network recently lost "Saving Grace," and its other dramas, including "Dark Blue," have not been setting the world on fire.

While "Southland" certainly would be a good fit on TNT, it remains to be seen if the network would want to buy someone else's castoff. With six episodes of "Southland" already in the can, TNT may be able to negotiate a decent price, and since Warner Bros. will already be getting paid for those shows by NBC, it might be willing to cut a slight break on the license fee. Then, if the show were a success for TNT, it could ask for more money. NBC was paying about $1.5 million per episode for the show, people close to the production say. That is not a huge fee for a cash cow like TNT.

Another likely network would be A&E. However, we're told A&E has already passed. And A&E is partially owned by NBC, so that might have been a problem politically even if it did want it. USA Network is totally owned by NBC and "Southland" is much too dark for them, so that's out.

That brings us to AMC, home of "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad." They like to spend money there, but everyone thinks they are the new HBO, so they might not want to sully their image with a show from a (cough) broadcast network.

FX already has a ton of programming, and while "Southland" may be gritty (there's that word again) for NBC, it's "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" for FX. 

People will say it should go on HBO or Showtime, but it's not nearly quirky enough.

So unless Food Network or The Weather Channel (whoops, that's NBC again) want to go in a completely different direction, the only real candidate out there may be TNT.

Let's see if blood is thicker than money.

-- Joe Flint

Deciphering NBC's Southland move

NBC axes `Southland'

NBC and 'Southland' producers worried about the bleeping FCC

Photo: "Southland" Credit: Richard Foreman/NBC Universal

Comments

[Mike Franz]

Somebody please have the ***** to pick this show up.Dynamic writing,Great acting,and Fluid Photography make this a show to watch.Besides that its already programmed into my DVR.
Isn't there a couple of suites out there that know the genuine Article when they see it.
Mike

[Ambergris]

TNT would be an excellent place for Southland!

[Alex]

TNT would be a great fit, and would help keep the transition in the Time Warner family. AMC would be wise to leap at the opportunity. The show is critically acclaimed on the merits of the actors, but I'd be willing to bet most people, other than the loyal viewers, would know which broadcast network had aired it- and so horribly dropped the ball- until now. Whoever is smart enough to close the deal will put their own stamp on this show, with NBC being nothing but a bad memory. The real association should be with Wells, Chulack, Biderman, Ben McKenzie, Cudlitz and King. No stigma at all there- far from it.

Be it cable or broadcast, some please snatch this up before production of the current episode concludes. The audience is waiting! Someone needs to show NBC that skilled acting, character development and compelling, intelligent stories are in demand. The high road pays and pays off.

[Mike]

Great show. I had been waiting for it to start up again, so I hate to hear that they canceled it. Somebody pick it up, please.

[mrs. robinson]

SouthLand is to wonderful to never be seen. I really hope the show can find a new home. NBC handled the show so horribly and it could have been a good show for the network, something for it to help with the rebuilding of the network's reputation.

[evie]

What about USA?

[Fernie]

Such a great program. I was so looking forward to the premiere. I'd love to see it on TNT (or anywhere).

[evan]

This show had HBO written all over it from the start. Why they tried doing this on a network I have no idea.

[Stacy]

I would love to see this show go to cable. It CANNOT end here, it is so ridiculous.
This is the most exciting show I have seen in a very long time, it treats the viewers as adults and not every moment needs to be filled with words. I have enjoyed it and want to continue to.
So mant things wrong with NBC and this is crazy, before it is even show but has already been filmed they cancel it?!.
I am also surprised they have treated John Wells like this, REALLY hope that Wells gets the last laugh.

[Junior]

Please at least move it to another network! This show is so good! I already have season 1 with me so I can watch over, and over, and over! Please TNT, USA, or any cable channel, pick this AMAZING SHOW UP! I have a twitter petition to save Southland, if you want to sign it, just click on my name in this comment!

[R.M. Weber]

TNT is fine with me. FX seems the more natural fit in terms of mood, but I can understand the Warner Bros. connection. I can't think of anything that I watch on TNT now, so this would definitely send me in that channel's direction. "Southland" was my favorite new show of last year, and the possibility of not being able to see these new episodes—which Michael Cudlitz is selling quite well, I'd add—is pretty upsetting.

And one more thing: Thanks, Mr. Leno, for killing the best drama NBC had.

[Michael]

I too love Southland. I hope somone has the common sense to pick up this great show. Either TNT or Fox or anyone other than NBC would have treated this show better than NBC. NBC is such a loser now. If there are any progamming execs. looking here I would emplore you to pick up Southland. I won't watch NBC again. I know I am only one person but it must start somewhere so let it start here now. We fans can help save Southland. Our voices must be heard. Any other network (Broadcast or Cable) would have a million or more viewers when they pick up Southland.Come one execs. have the courage to save a great show.

[matthew]

Someone please pick this up! I was looking forward to the new season, it was the only and last (literally) show that I watch on NBC, precisely because it was so much better than anything else on that failed network. Perhaps FX, where the Shield resided, and then the writers could have more free reign on the saltiness factor?

[Alvy Singer]

NBC blew it. Southland is a terrific show. I was looking forward to its return all summer. Didn't NBC also get rid of Medium? Losers!

[Joan K]

Southland is a true to life, gritty show and I hope it finds a home on a different network. Now the only time I will be watching NBC is to view L&O:SVU.

[Deidre]

I really hope someone has the foresight to grab this show up. It's one of the best cop dramas in a really long time. I was hooked right away, we recorded every episode & I watched all the extras on HULU. What's up when a well written, gritty, well acted, unpredictable TV show gets let loose...oh yeah it was on NBC and for some reason they have decided to stop taking risks.

[A Bailey]

Let's see, your audience is shrinking and that shrinkage parallels the cancelling of dramas on the network. You place a show in primetime at the 10:00 hour that even with lower viewership, can make the network more money. You lose viewers due to the bad decision making and now you will have to spend 3 to5 times as much money as you would have spent on the cancelled drama to get those viewers back.

Now that's smart.

[Greg]

Of course they are going to cancel it. It's a decent show with interesting characters. That's not what people want.

[michael hernandez]

This is a shame somebody need to have a talk with nbc execs. This is a great show that is benefiting from the off season through word of mouth and anticipation.

[Chad]

I have watched all of five shows this year. Southland, The Middle, Lost, FNL, and Community.

I literally cried upon hearing that Southland had been canceled. And have been receiving texts from friends who were so in love with the characters and storylines that the show involved us in.

If this is not picked up by another network, I swear that this will be THE END of my NBC viewing. It is a brand I want to support and root for, but this is too much. They have FNL and the Office. Aside from that, there is nothing worthwhile on such an undeserving network.

[sl]

Write to WBTV and tell them you support the show

timewarner.com

Peter Roth
President
Warner Brothers Television
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank CA 91522
Tel. 818 -954-6000
Fax 212-954-7667
Peter.Roth@warnerbros.com

Bruce Rosenblum
President, Warner Bros. Television Group
Warner Bros. Entertainment
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522
Phone 818.954.6000
Fax 212-954-7667
Bruce.Rosenblum@warnerbros.com

Ken Werner
President
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
Warner Bros. Entertainment
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522
Phone 818.954.6000
Fax 212-954-7667
Ken.Werner@warnerbros.com

[sl]

Write to TNT to show your support for Southland

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
Turner Network Television

Site:
http://www.turner.com

Philip I. Kent
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Turner Broadcasting System
1 CNN Center
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone 404.827.1700

Phil.Kent@turner.com

Steve Koonin
President, Turner Entertainment Networks
1 CNN Center
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone 404.827.1700

Steve.koonin@turner.com

[Annie]

Southland seems like it would fit in on Fox - it is along the lines of House, Bones, Lie to Me. I hope SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE picks it up, especially after having seen the preview of what was going to be the second season premiere.

[goodbyeNBC!]

It's really disappointing that NBC is dropping 'Southland' and doesn't believe viewers are smart enough and wanting quality television. First, they cancel 'Kings'; and now they air the annoying/ridiculous Leno and 'Trauma'. I have been waiting for 'Southland' to premiere so I would finally have a reason to watch NBC, but now I have absolutely no reason to watch the network. While I think TNT or another cable network will be the most viable long-term solution, I (as someone who cannot afford cable) am growing increasingly frustrated with the broadcast networks abandoning/not pursuing ambitious, thought provoking television.

[Donna]

There is no reason for Jay Leno to be on every night. His show is not that good. Pick one night!! The other nights have shows like "Southland" which I thought was good.