via press release:
TV GUIDE NETWORK AND TV LAND ACQUIRE EXCLUSIVE JOINT BASIC CABLE RIGHTS TO AWARD-WINNING HBO COMEDY SERIES “CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM”
Networks Jointly Acquire Multi-Platform Rights to the Hit Comedy Series Produced By and Starring “Seinfeld” Co-Creator Larry David
LOS ANGELES (November 9, 2009) TV Land and TV Guide Network today announced that they will jointly acquire basic cable rights to “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” the award-winning HBO comedy series produced by and starring “Seinfeld” co-creator Larry David. One of the most ground-breaking shows on television, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has never before been seen on basic cable television and for the first time ever, this irreverent comedy series will be delivered to millions of new viewers by TV Guide Network and TV Land. In addition, both networks will acquire certain broadband, wireless and video-on-demand rights, bringing “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to multiple screens for fans to enjoy.
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” has recently garnered tremendous buzz and fan-following during its current season which features a long-awaited “Seinfeld” reunion 11 years after the show’s finale. Airing now on HBO, the seventh season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” stars members of the famed “Seinfeld” cast, who recreate their sitcom characters and also play themselves during the show.
“‘Acquiring a series of this caliber truly underscores our commitment to defining TV Guide Network as a destination for some of the best shows on television,” said Ryan O’Hara, President of TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com. “‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ is our second major acquisition this year and it will become another key building block in our programming line-up for 2010 and beyond.”
“We are excited to bring ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm to TV Land PRIME,” stated Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. “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. 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 Your Enthusiasm” will air on TV Guide Network for a multi-year run starting February 2010. TV Land will begin airing the series in TV Land PRIME immediately following TV Guide Network’s term.
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” stars Larry David as himself in an unsparing but tongue-in-cheek depiction of his life. Shot in a verite style and featuring celebrities playing themselves, the episodes are improvised by the actors from an outline created by David. The series also stars Cheryl Hines as David’s wife Cheryl, Jeff Garlin as David’s manager Jeff and Susie Essman as Jeff’s wife Susie. The show was nominated for four Emmys in 2008, including Outstanding Comedy Series. It won the Golden Globe in the Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy category in 2002. In 2003, Robert B. Weide won a directing Emmys for his work on the series. The series has also received awards from the Writers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America, Banff Television Festival, American Film Institute and Monte Carlo Television Festival, among others. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is executive produced by Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Gavin Polone, Alec Berg, David Mandel, Jeff Schaffer, Tim Gibbons and Erin O’Malley.
About TV Guide Network
TV Guide Network is the true entertainment insider and the only network that celebrates Hollywood, its stars and the shows that fans adore. Committed to buzz-worthy, breakout programming and a rich, multi-platform viewing experience, TV Guide Network is seen in more than 80 million homes nationwide and online at TVGuide.com, a one-stop fan destination serving 21 million unique users per month. TV Guide Network is home to some of America’s fan-favorite series including “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Ugly Betty” and “American Idol Rewind.” The network also takes fans behind-the-scenes of Hollywood with original programming that delivers the latest news on entertainment and pop culture, as well as live coverage of the industry’s biggest events such as the Red Carpet at the Academy Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards. TV Guide Network, TVGuide.com and the TV Guide brand are owned by Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the leading next-generation studio and producer of award-winning series “Mad Men” and “Weeds,” and One Equity Partners, the private equity arm of JPMorgan Chase.
About TV Land PRIME and TV Land
TV Land PRIME is TV Land’s prime time programming destination designed for people in their mid-forties and the exclusive home to the premieres of the network’s original programming, contemporary television series acquisitions and movies. TV Land PRIME is part of TV Land, a network dedicated to presenting the best in entertainment on all platforms for consumers in their 40s and 50s. Consisting of original programming, acquired shows, hit movies and full-service Web site, TV Land is now seen in over 93 million U.S. homes.
About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company’s portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 400 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., TeenNick, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, SPIKE, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.
I’ve seen every Seinfeld and Curb 300 times, but this is still awesome news. Finally something decent on TV Land.
Fact: This show is not nearly as good when it’s censored. You essentially lose the best part of the show: Susie Essman.
Not just censored but they’ll be cutting out LOTS. These shows run almost the full 30 minutes on HBO so some eps will have to lose about 8 minutes, nearly 1/3 of their running time…
Anybody know how much they paid for the rights?
Steve, THR reports it was expected to be less than $600,000 per episode.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3ia59bfc00cf09b10badba96a85a1662b0
Dumbfounded with this move.
HBO have been sold to basic cable before i.e The Sopranos and Sex and the City but with Curb, unless they shot alternative scenes to make it suitable then it’s going to be a neutered version of the show. I think with The Sopranos, they shot the same scenes but with cleaner dialogues and the nude girls in the Bada Bing had skimpy outfits.
I curbed my enthusiasm for that show after Larry peed on Jesus.
Now had he done that with a painting of Mohammad, that would have impressed me as it would take brass pair to risk your life by doing that as a fatwa would be put on on him. Then Salman Rushdie could do an episode giving him tips on staying alive.
would appreciate if bad robot’s racist comment was censored.
Bad Robot was commenting on how Hollywood has some elevated groups. Like in Animal Farm, “some animals are more equal than others.” Muslims would never be the target of equivalent “comedy” like that because some in their faith have routinely threatened murder for such disrespect and received real results, like the European news media caving over the Mohammed cartoons. The fact that people were threatening to kill over it MADE that into news, even if the original disrespect was NOT news.
Christians with threats or actually killing “for their faith”, on the other hand, are far more rare, so there is no fear for the disrespect and mockery of Christianity. Some in Hollywood take the cowardly and rude approach and considers racism-level bigotry against Christianity to be “acceptable programming.”
Equal levels of respect for all? Never! It’s the bigotry in the double standard that Bad Robot was commenting on, and showing how, if you saw the same behavior against another faith, the level of offense would be instantly recognized. It’s why I won’t watch. It’s like watching a Klansman’s comedy show even if he used only one anti-black joke. Still not a likeable guy, no matter what else he’s saying.
This is clearly a money grab by David. The shows will be cut to 21 minutes and the language will be edited, rendering it unwatchable. Fortunately I have the DVDs and won’t have to bother with this antiseptic version.
What a waste.
Curb has been sold into syndication twice, a double money grab.
I’ll watch at least once to see how they are able to translate it to cable television.
FYI there are ten episodes per season, times seven seasons, times 600K, that’s a lot of dough…
PM5K, indeed. Add to that Seinfeld earnings, and Larry David is unlikely to be resorting to food stamps.
Bill and Robert,
Do we have any ratings numbers for “Curb” during Season 7? How is the show performing versus previous seasons?
you can search our site for “Curb” and get some recent season’s data. For previous seasons, and comparisons, there might be some info on Marc Berman’s PI Forums somewhere.
Why is anyone surprised at this? And why does it even needed to be pointed out that they are doing it for the money? Of course they are! That’s what you do with TV shows. You try to make money off of them.
Nobody has pointed out the other glaring problem with this…even if somebody was desparate enough to want to watch these hacked-up versions of the show, who would want to watch them on half of a screen with TV listings scrolling below?? TV Guide Channel?!? Give me a break!
Finally, a third show for TV Land! Actually, I hope that Comcast will drop TV Land and use the space for a more relevant channel. I used to love TV Land…. but now, all they show are Roseanne and Andy Griffith 24 hours a day. Time for some variety to add some relevance to this channel.
Prettaaaaaay, prettaaaaaay odd choice to sell it to TVGN.
TV Land? TV Land?? What, is it going to run from 10:00pm to 10:05pm? KRUP THAT!
I will never watch this show now that I know those lovely idiots at TV Guide Channel own it. They hate the consumer, and why should they care? Cable companies shove them on us with no choice in the matter.
GO SATELLITE!!!!!