TNT not talking about picking up 'Law & Order'

If NBC doesn't come up with enough cash to keep "Law & Order" creator Dick Wolf happy, don't be surprised if he tries to shop the 20-year-old show to the cable network TNT.

Time Warner's TNT is the logical choice for the show. It has been running repeats of "Law & Order" for years.

 But one should not automatically assume that means TNT will jump at the chance for original episodes. The cable network has plenty of original shows, including "Leverage," "The Closer," "Men of a Certain Age" and "Southland."

In a statement, TNT said: "Law & Order has been a valuable programming asset for TNT.  Currently, we have multiple seasons under license, up to and including Season 20. With this series, TNT is the buyer and NBC is the seller.  TNT is not in ongoing discussions about picking up the series for first-run episodes."

NBC was interested in bringing back "Law & Order," but it did not want a full season of the show or even 13 episodes. Part of the reason was the cost. Although most of the show's cast has proven to be replaceable, it is still expensive. Many of the costs are tied to Wolf's paycheck as a creator and executive producer. 

So far this season, "Law & Order" has been averaging under 8 million viewers. While the flagship series may be toast, "SVU" and a new spin-off set in Los Angeles are expected to be on NBC's air next season.

-- Joe Flint

Comments

[Kenya McCullum]

Considering some of the garbage that's on NBC, they would be crazy to let L&O go. But then again, since when has NBC been known for its good decision making? Maybe if Jay Leno decides he wants to replace S. Epatha Merkerson, NBC will save it.

[barb mckelvey]

I have watched law anf order for 20 years and I either watch it live or DVR. This show is hard hitting and I never get tired of the scripts. The writing is the best the cast is great, I love Sam Waterson he is still appealing to all ages, my teenage sons watch this show,and i would love to see it go on You know NBC exets don't know what they are doing, look at the jay leno mess and they lost Medium to CBS. NBC should get rid of shows like city lights, partenhood, and some of those loser medical shows St. Louis Mo.

[cabdulaahi]

we are appeal

[Jontarius Mosby]

"Law & Order" is one of best shows on television! This is just another stupid decision by NBC. It's amazing how many stupid ideas this network has had in the past months. I say bring "Law & Order" to TNT for a proper ending.