Of course, the catch is that it doesn't come for another six years.

From Variety:

Friends of 'Friends'
Nick gets night rights; TBS run extended

By JOHN DEMPSEY

NEW YORK -- Warner Bros. Domestic Cable has sold "Friends" to Nick at Nite in a shared window with TBS beginning in the fall of 2011, a deal that will harvest $200 million in license fees and advertising.
The parties declined to discuss deal points, but Nick at Nite will pay about $500,000 an episode for the right to carry the 236 half-hours of "Friends" post-6 p.m. for a six-year term through the fall of 2017. Nick at Nite will also allow Warner Bros. to carve out 30-second spots from the half-hour cablecasts; Warners will pocket all of these ad revenues.

By contrast, TBS' contract is a continuation of its ongoing deal for "Friends," which kicked off in the fall of 2001. The network, a sibling of Warner Bros. Domestic Cable, has renewed "Friends" for the same six-year period as Nick at Nite (September 2011 to September 2017) but will pay only $275,000 an episode because Warners will restrict its runs to pre-6 p.m. (except for the first year, when TBS can play the half-hours through 7 p.m.). The three 30-second spots that Warners holds back in each half-hour of "Friends" on TBS will cease on Sept. 4, 2011; TBS will keep all of the advertising time beyond that date.

One of the reasons that a sitcom like "Friends," which NBC canceled after the 2003-04 season, is still chalking up big bucks in pre-sales through 2017 is that the broadcast networks have failed to come with any blockbuster sitcoms in the past five years.

Worried that the drought in hit comedies could continue, cable networks and TV stations are renewing high-visibility shows like "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Friends" and "Seinfeld" well into the future. Twentieth hasn't made "The Simpsons" available to cable networks yet because the show is still exclusive to TV stations in off-network syndication.

Right now, TBS is sharing "Friends" with TV stations throughout the country in rerun syndication. Warners has renewed "Friends" in syndication through December 2013, and since the series is still finding an audience, the studio could very well bring the sitcom back later in the decade for a third cycle.

In syndication alone, "Friends" has harvested $4 million an episode in cash license fees, for a total of $944 million. When advertising revenues from the syndication barter spots get added in, the revenues balloon to well over a billion dollars.

Nick at Nite is counting on "Friends" to play directly to the 18-to-49 year olds it targets in its programming and marketing.

Well, it was expected. I always thought they'd get 'Seinfeld' before 'Friends' though. Is this the most N@N has ever spent on any sitcom?

I agree; this was expected. I'm not surprised at all. But I do agree that I thought Seinfeld *might* come first.

I think it's only a matter of time before Seinfeld and Everybody Loves Raymond are picked up by N@N. Even if it's not for another six years, they'll come eventually.

Nick@Nite is paying 118,000,000 million for the 6 year deal roughly. TBS pays 82 million for the rest. So, this is Nick@Nite's most costliest deal ever, beating Cheers' 75 million 7 year contract.

Breakdown:
Nick@Nite: September 2011 through September 2017 - 6 year deal, and can only air it from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
TBS: Renewal deal September 2011 through September 2017 - 6 year renewal and only air it from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (though, the first year they can air it from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Local Channels: through December 2013, but they can renew...

Wow.

That's all I've got to say, LOL.

Since Nick@Nite is paying this much for Friends, I doubt they can afford Seinfeld or Everybody Loves Raymond, even in a shared deal with TBS. Remember Nick@Nite still has Mad About You, Home Improvement, The Nanny, and a few other shows (not announced yet) still to come.

Wow. Not that it's coming.... but that it's being planned so far in advance. This is one series I'll never watch on N@N. Not because I don't like it, but I'll have the entire series on DVD before the year is over, let alone the decade.

Nick@Nite is paying 118,000,000 million for the 6 year deal roughly. TBS pays 82 million for the rest. So, this is Nick@Nite's most costliest deal ever, beating Cheers' 75 million 7 year contract.

Breakdown:
Nick@Nite: September 2011 through September 2017 - 6 year deal, and can only air it from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
TBS: Renewal deal September 2011 through September 2017 - 6 year renewal and only air it from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (though, the first year they can air it from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Local Channels: through December 2013, but they can renew...

:eek2: :eek2:

This..is...I'm speechless. I thought this would happen, but I never thought in a gazillion years they would actually do it. Well, wow.

"Friends" is the type of show that needs to be seen in order, without skipping an episode. N@N is not very good at that. For one thing, they skip Christmas episodes. I'm sure "Friends" will be a big success for N@N, I'm just stating my opinion.

Wow is all I can say :eek:

Friends doesn't air all that often on TBS, not nearly as much as ELR or Seinfeld. It doesn't even air everyday.

When I saw 2011 in the thread name, I thought for sure this was a joke!

But wow...just wow...

wow... I love "Friends" but I'm sure N@N will play it to death

10PM/10:30PM/2:00AM/2:30AM/5:00AM/5:30AM anyone? haha

Oh boy! Let's spend tons of money by actual weight for a show that airs everywhere 100 times a day and is on DVD, which are superior in quality and content. Sounds like fun!

Oh well, not my money.

how do we know if Friends will still be a syndicated hit in 6 years? Seinfeld, for example, is just as popular now as it was when it ended, same with Roseanne and The Golden Girls, both are more popular now than they were in 97 and 92 when they ended. After Friends ended, myself and so many others who followed the show since 1994 were officially sick of the show and don't enjoy the reruns anymore. I think Friends will do well on N@N, but part of me thinks that it'll be more along the lines of Home Improvement in terms of "down the road" success in reruns than a Seinfeld or Roseanne.

As popular as show as Friends is, I'm truly surprised it's not played alot more than it is, same with Frasier(I barely see Frasier on anymore) :eek:

despite the success of shows.... I think Nick SHOULD have a 10-year window after the final episode of a show. Nick is supposed to be a nostalgic network, how are we supposed to be nostalgic for shows that were running new episodes in 1997? (I love Roseanne but TBS is a better fit than N@N).

Right now, Cosby, Who's The Boss and Full House (which should've just made it's entrance on N@N because it just passed it's 10th) are the only shows on Nick that really should be on it. Fresh Prince and Roseanne aren't quite vintage yet.

Since Nick@Nite is paying this much for Friends, I doubt they can afford Seinfeld or Everybody Loves Raymond, even in a shared deal with TBS. Remember Nick@Nite still has Mad About You, Home Improvement, The Nanny, and a few other shows (not announced yet) still to come.

is cost the reason why neither N@N nor TV Land have ever shown M*A*S*H? When you think of it, M*A*S*H is easily the biggest show pre-1990 never to have aired on either network or even be announced.

is cost the reason why neither N@N nor TV Land have ever shown M*A*S*H? When you think of it, M*A*S*H is easily the biggest show pre-1990 never to have aired on either network or even be announced.

Wasn't there always an ongoing joke about M*A*S*H being aired on every channnel 24/7? LOL!

I think the reason probably is that it aired on another network that holds the rights exclusively? Isn't it on Hallmark?

is cost the reason why neither N@N nor TV Land have ever shown M*A*S*H? When you think of it, M*A*S*H is easily the biggest show pre-1990 never to have aired on either network or even be announced.

I always thought N@N or TVLAND would someday pick up M*A*S*H I thought that would be one show they'd definitely want

Friends isn't right to run on N@N, not even in 2011. If Friends is still running on another cable network and numerous local stations it will be even more ridiculous.

Who DIDNT see this coming?

Boo!!!! I Really Dislike Nick@Nite Right Now. Personally I Don't Like Friends. How Come Nick@Nite Takes All The Over Played Shows...UGH I Wish They Would Pick Up 90's Shows Rarely Shown Like Frasier Or Dave's World Or Major Dad Or 3rd Rock

Here Is A Run Down Of Nick@Nite's Shows In My Area:
Full House: N@N, ABC Family, 1 Local, S1 DVD
Fresh Prince: N@N, The N, 1 Local, S1 And Soon S2 DVD's
The Cosby Show: N@N, TBS, Soon S1 DVD
Roseanne: N@N, Oxygen, 3 Locals, Soon S1 DVD
Murphy Brown: N@N, S1 DVD
Who's The Boss: N@N, 1 Local, S1 DVD
Mad About You: Lifetime, S1, S2, & Best Of DVD's, 2006 On N@N
Home Improvement: TBS, S1 And S2 DVD's, 2007 On N@N
The Nanny: Lifetime, S1 DVD, 2009 On N@N
Friends: TBS, 5 Locals, S1-S9 DVD's, 2011 On N@N

Alot Of Those Shows Are My Fav's But God!!!!

How is Frasier rarely seen? It's coming to Lifetime this March anyway.

How is Frasier rarely seen? It's coming to Lifetime this March anyway.

What in the world does "Frasier" have to do with Television for Women? I tell you channels are each losing themselves these days. I mean ABC Family doesn't show all family programming. Many of the shows (and movies) they show, I would never watch with my family. That goes for my family now (Dad, Mom, two sisters) and for my future family (wife and kids). MTV spends all their time showing reality shows. Nick at Nite isn't what it used to be, but at least it's changed it's motto to "Modern TV Classics". MTV is still "Music TV" and Lifetime is still "Television for Women."

What in the world does "Frasier" have to do with Television for Women? I tell you channels are each losing themselves these days. I mean ABC Family doesn't show all family programming. Many of the shows (and movies) they show, I would never watch with my family. That goes for my family now (Dad, Mom, two sisters) and for my future family (wife and kids). MTV spends all their time showing reality shows. Nick at Nite isn't what it used to be, but at least it's changed it's motto to "Modern TV Classics". MTV is still "Music TV" and Lifetime is still "Television for Women."

The ironic thing is, all these networks are all scoring their highest ratings NOW.

How is Frasier rarely seen? It's coming to Lifetime this March anyway.

It's never had a cable home, and it isn't played a lot in local syndication. In my area it airs once a night, at 11:30 on FOX. Friends, Seinfeld, Will & Grace, The Simpsons, Everybody Loves Raymond, That 70s Show, The King of Queens, The Simpsons and even The Drew Carey Show all air more than that.


Friends is barely on TBS anymore, so I don't get why people are already complaining about it being overplayed. Even though I became a fan after the series ended, Friends definitely lost its thunder the moment the show ended.

What in the world does "Frasier" have to do with Television for Women? I tell you channels are each losing themselves these days. I mean ABC Family doesn't show all family programming. Many of the shows (and movies) they show, I would never watch with my family. That goes for my family now (Dad, Mom, two sisters) and for my future family (wife and kids). MTV spends all their time showing reality shows. Nick at Nite isn't what it used to be, but at least it's changed it's motto to "Modern TV Classics". MTV is still "Music TV" and Lifetime is still "Television for Women."

Just wondering.... what wouldn't you watch with your family on ABCFamily?!

Just wondering.... what wouldn't you watch with your family on ABCFamily?!

First up, I don't have any problems with the shows. I don't want you to think I'm bashing the shows. With that said:

They once aired the movie "Office Space" (a personal favorite of mine) but that's not a family movie. Although I can't remember them all right now, but I know they've aired other movies that aren't "Family" movies. Which is fine if they want to change directions with their channel, but why do they have to call it ABC FAMILY if it isn't all family oriented.

When "3rd Rock from the Sun" comes, that'll be one. I have nothing against the show, but it's not a family oriented show.

I haven't seen it, but "Wildlife" doesn't look like a family show. I could be wrong though, if I am, you can correct me.

However, shows like "Full House", "Boy Meets World", "Family Matters" and the rest of those type of shows are fine on ABC Family.

Now that I list all these shows, I guess it's not so bad. But their choice for movies, I continue to feel aren't "for the family".

The ironic thing is, all these networks are all scoring their highest ratings NOW.

I know and it drives me crazy, too. It seems like the more we complain about lousy schedules, the higher the ratings get for those networks.

Oh wow. :rolleyes:

Though I am openminded, I certainly wouldn't watch most episodes of Smallville and Wildfire or half of the movies on that network with my parents. Just saying.

The only show I wouldn't watch on ABCFamily with my parents is 7th Heaven, because it blows whether they're in the room or not.

I think Office Space is absolutely hysterical, and the first time I saw it I was actually watching it with my family. I know it's not for little kids, but "family" doesn't mean little kids.

I know and it drives me crazy, too. It seems like the more we complain about lousy schedules, the higher the ratings get for those networks.
We are in the minority.

:eek:

I think Office Space is absolutely hysterical, and the first time I saw it I was actually watching it with my family. I know it's not for little kids, but "family" doesn't mean little kids.

I love "Office Space", too. The thing with my family is that my parents are kind of prudish. I'm not trying to be mean, but they are. My mom won't even watch "Three's Company" anymore. So I see things differently because I think of what I would or wouldn't watch with them. Although I love "Office Space", there's no way they would ever watch it and like it. I'm more open minded than they are.

is cost the reason why neither N@N nor TV Land have ever shown M*A*S*H? When you think of it, M*A*S*H is easily the biggest show pre-1990 never to have aired on either network or even be announced.

What about not any cable station have ever shown Simpson reruns? The Simpson has to be virtullay the only show debuted before 2000 never have been or even planning airing to any cable station so far.

Boo!!!! I Really Dislike Nick@Nite Right Now. Personally I Don't Like Friends. How Come Nick@Nite Takes All The Over Played Shows...UGH I Wish They Would Pick Up 90's Shows Rarely Shown Like Frasier Or Dave's World Or Major Dad Or 3rd Rock

Here Is A Run Down Of Nick@Nite's Shows In My Area:
Full House: N@N, ABC Family, 1 Local, S1 DVD
Fresh Prince: N@N, The N, 1 Local, S1 And Soon S2 DVD's
The Cosby Show: N@N, TBS, Soon S1 DVD
Roseanne: N@N, Oxygen, 3 Locals, Soon S1 DVD
Murphy Brown: N@N, S1 DVD
Who's The Boss: N@N, 1 Local, S1 DVD
Mad About You: Lifetime, S1, S2, & Best Of DVD's, 2006 On N@N
Home Improvement: TBS, S1 And S2 DVD's, 2007 On N@N
The Nanny: Lifetime, S1 DVD, 2009 On N@N
Friends: TBS, 5 Locals, S1-S9 DVD's, 2011 On N@N

Alot Of Those Shows Are My Fav's But God!!!!
MAY, WTB, and MB aren't really overplayed...

As popular as show as Friends is, I'm truly surprised it's not played alot more than it is, same with Frasier(I barely see Frasier on anymore) :eek:

Frasier has been on in San Antonio KABB-FOX29 at 11:00 P.M. and 11:30 P.M. ever since it has been in syndication. Ditto for Friends on KENS-Channel 5(CBS) at 10:35 P.M. ever since it has been in syndication,before that Cheers was in that same time slot from 1987 to 1998.

I knew that the day was coming that Friends was going to be on Nick at Nite but didn't know when. Quite possibly,Seinfeld and Everybody Loves Raymond will be next on the agenda for Nick at Nite. Seinfeld and Everybody Loves Raymond gets loads of airings not only in San Antonio but on TBS as well. TBS overplays both of these shows to the hilt.

That's a really long time from now. :p

This seems kind of early to air reruns of Friends for Nick at Nite. It won't have been even a decade before they start showing Friends. It will be way to soon.

well, I knew they had to get it someday. I'm sure next, they'll get "Everybody Loves Raymond", "Seinfeld", and "The Drew Cary show".

I wish they'd go back to where they used to be, with reruns of "The Patty Duke show", "Make Room for Daddy/The Danny Thomas show", & "My Three Sons"

anyone else think N@N should have a 10 year window following the series finale before airing? The rate N@N's going, they're going to be airing shows still in first-run by the time all's said and done.

I think at least 10 years needs to pass since a shows final episode for nostalgia to start kicking in. Nick's supposed to be nostalgia, not "Modern TV Hits", We have TBS for that!

I haven't seen it, but "Wildlife" doesn't look like a family show. I could be wrong though, if I am, you can correct me.

Just by the commercials, that show looks like a bad OC clone. With the same basic plot.

anyone else think N@N should have a 10 year window following the series finale before airing? The rate N@N's going, they're going to be airing shows still in first-run by the time all's said and done.

I think at least 10 years needs to pass since a shows final episode for nostalgia to start kicking in. Nick's supposed to be nostalgia, not "Modern TV Hits", We have TBS for that!

I agree with you that I miss the nostalgia of watching the older shows that I have not seen in years, but it seems that ever since TVLand N@N is becoming more of a channel for todays sitcoms, or at least the ones popular in the past 10 years.
Nick is not supposed to be nostalgia, there motto is modern tv hits meaning modern shows and the 50's - around 85 are not considered modern enough I guess, they were a nostalgia channel before TVLand and now we have TVLand who plays the older shows, times are changing so N@N feels they need to change to keep up.
I do like the way it was before but at least they did give us TVLand so we have a channel that will maybe show some of the older shows we love and cannot see elsewhere.

As for Friends, it is to hard to say that 2011 will be a year that this show is still played regularly on our locals among a lot of other stations. I for one can only catch it on TBS, and 1 local. I just wonder is this going to be the new TCS for N@N taking all the good time slots and being overplayed for 100 years longer then needed or will N@N become the Friends and Cosby channel?
With all these new shows that they are obtaining for future, I wonder how they will fit them all in with these double blocks, sounds like some shows will be leaving quickly or they will have to revamp their schedule to accomodate more then 5 shows.