'Seinfeld' still rolling a decade later! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-07-2008, 12:42 AM

NEW YORK -- Stroll around Manhattan's Union Square these days, and you come across billboards touting the start of the fall TV season with promotions for the likes of "Heroes," "The Mentalist" and "Private Practice." But on Thursday, an evergreen stole the spotlight here -- "Seinfeld."

The cult sitcom may have ended its primetime TV run a decade ago, but Sony Pictures Television expects one of TV's most valuable franchises can extend its longevity in syndication, on DVD and in new media with a bus tour targeting the key 18-49 demo.

"The show is every bit as compelling today as it was during its original run," said Robert Oswaks, president of marketing at Sony Pictures Television, which has the domestic rights to the show. " 'Seinfeld's' continued strength with the adults 18-49 demographic, coupled with its growth among a new generation of viewers, is a testament to the program's superior quality, timelessness and longevity."

Sony wouldn't say how much it is spending on the bus tour and what the financial benefit could be. But Oswaks said the 26-city tour of colleges and other locations -- Union Square is a backyard for NYU students -- started a few weeks ago, is about cultivating the next generation of "Seinfeld" fans in the interactive ways they enjoy rather than traditional magazine ads and the like.

"There are tens of millions of college students who were toddlers when the show was on the air and still kids when it went off the air," he explains, pointing particularly to the 70 million-strong "millennial" demo of 10- to 28-year-olds. "Our goal is to keep the show popular on DVD, in syndication and any future digital sell-through or other opportunities."

Some fans here wondered out loud if the "Seinfeld Campus Tour" meant the show could return to TV or as a one-off movie. "I don't think there's an opportunity to bring it back," Oswaks said, pointing to the cast's busy schedules, among other things.

After nine seasons on NBC, the final episode of "Seinfeld" in May 1998 drew 76 million viewers. The show won 13 Emmys, and Sony executives highlight that "Seinfeld" remains a top 5 syndie show and has outperformed current network sitcoms among men 18-49, including "My Name Is Earl," "The Office" and "Two and a Half Men."

The show went into syndication in 1995 with a record 210 stations. Research firm SNL Kagan estimates that "Seinfeld" brought in revenue of $4.6 million, $5.2 million and $5.3 million per episode in TV station syndication cycles 1, 2 and 3, respectively. For cable syndication, the first cycle brought in $1 million per episode, it estimates.

The sitcom also has done strong DVD business with more than 9 million DVDs sold in the U.S. and, according to Home Media Research, an estimated $456 million in revenue.

The "Seinfeld" bus entertains with show memorabilia and video highlights. Fans can also try out a "Seinfeld" DVD game and get their picture taken with cutouts of the show's stars. Importantly for reaching young fans, laptops show off the MySpace and Facebook presences of "Seinfeld."

In a cross-promotional effort, visitors also have an opportunity to win Sony Video Walkmans and digital cameras by playing games with a "Seinfeld" twist.

Among the dozens of fans checking out the bus early Thursday was Michael, 14, who was turned on to the show by his parents. "It's just like reality and really funny," he said. He then got an autograph from his favorite "Seinfeld" character, "Soup Nazi" Larry Thomas, who was on hand.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...50de6804257fd6

Schmoopie · 09-07-2008, 01:28 AM

That is so awesome! I am dying for it to come here (or anywhere near here!). This I HAVE to see! And how cool to meet the "Soup Nazi"! Just don't tell him he looks like Al Pacino!

Andrea

Brian Damage · 09-07-2008, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

And how cool to meet the "Soup Nazi"! Just don't tell him he looks like Al Pacino!

Andrea

DSfan · 09-07-2008, 10:44 AM

I wish I could see this tour

Ah well, I will just have to buy the trivia game when it is released. That will be good enough.

I read yesterday on Wikipedia that Jerry Seinfeld makes $60 million a year. That's unbelievable considering he really only does a little bit of stand up. I am wondering how much he makes for each episode in syndication and what percentage of DVD sales go back to him.

catlover79 · 09-07-2008, 11:26 AM

Anti-Dentyte · 09-10-2008, 11:07 PM

That's awesome.

It's great to see that one of my favorite tv shows of all-time is becoming such a timeless classic. And deservedly so----Seinfeld is the funniest and best sitcom of all time.

Schmoopie · 09-11-2008, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti-Dentyte

That's awesome.

It's great to see that one of my favorite tv shows of all-time is becoming such a timeless classic. And deservedly so----Seinfeld is the funniest and best sitcom of all time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSfan

I wish I could see this tour

Ah well, I will just have to buy the trivia game when it is released. That will be good enough.

I read yesterday on Wikipedia that Jerry Seinfeld makes $60 million a year. That's unbelievable considering he really only does a little bit of stand up. I am wondering how much he makes for each episode in syndication and what percentage of DVD sales go back to him.

That is amazing!

He must get something for those DVD sales and syndication showings. It would be interesting to find out what the details are!
Even though that is an insane amount of

.... the laughter he gives to the millions who love him is priceless!

This is for you, Jerry!

Andrea

DSfan · 09-11-2008, 05:17 PM

What will be crazy is, Seinfeld will keep airing forever so in 50 years when, most likely, he will be dead, his family will keep becoming richer and richer because the show will never die and every descendant can cash in. I don't know if that is a good thing or not though.

Anti-Dentyte · 09-11-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSfan

What will be crazy is, Seinfeld will keep airing forever so in 50 years when, most likely, he will be dead, his family will keep becoming richer and richer because the show will never die and every descendant can cash in. I don't know if that is a good thing or not though.

All I can say is: I was born into the wrong family.

catlover79 · 09-11-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti-Dentyte

All I can say is: I was born into the wrong family.

Ditto! Maybe they can adopt me??

Anti-Dentyte · 09-11-2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Ditto! Maybe they can adopt me??

Indeed!

And it's wonderful to see that Seinfeld is still so popular a decade later. I just hope that they won't ever come up with something silly in the future like "Seinfeld: The Next Generation".

DSfan · 09-12-2008, 05:37 PM

Hopefully not lol. I hate Degrassi...

Anti-Dentyte · 09-13-2008, 12:27 AM

I used to like the original Degrassi Junior High when I was growing up.

All the kids in my class were watching that show religiously.

catlover79 · 09-13-2008, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti-Dentyte

I used to like the original Degrassi Junior High when I was growing up.

All the kids in my class were watching that show religiously.

It sure was more realistic than many other teen oriented shows.

Schmoopie · 09-13-2008, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti-Dentyte

Indeed!

And it's wonderful to see that Seinfeld is still so popular a decade later. I just hope that they won't ever come up with something silly in the future like "Seinfeld: The Next Generation".

I don't think that will happen; at least I hope not! Someone asked Jerry in an interview if he would do another TV show and he said no because he could never do something as good as "Seinfeld" again. Smart guy!

I'm also glad they never did any Seinfeld spin-offs. I read a lot of fan fiction where Kramer has his own show, but seriously if they did that, I doubt it would have lasted very long. Seinfeld had the perfect ensemble cast, IMO!

Andrea

09-07-2008, 12:42 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'Seinfeld' still rolling a decade later! NEW YORK -- Stroll around Manhattan's Union Square these days, and you come across billboards touting the start of the fall TV season with promotions for the likes of "Heroes," "The Mentalist" and "Private Practice." But on Thursday, an evergreen stole the spotlight here -- "Seinfeld." The cult sitcom may have ended its primetime TV run a decade ago, but Sony Pictures Television expects one of TV's most valuable franchises can extend its longevity in syndication, on DVD and in new media with a bus tour targeting the key 18-49 demo. "The show is every bit as compelling today as it was during its original run," said Robert Oswaks, president of marketing at Sony Pictures Television, which has the domestic rights to the show. " 'Seinfeld's' continued strength with the adults 18-49 demographic, coupled with its growth among a new generation of viewers, is a testament to the program's superior quality, timelessness and longevity." Sony wouldn't say how much it is spending on the bus tour and what the financial benefit could be. But Oswaks said the 26-city tour of colleges and other locations -- Union Square is a backyard for NYU students -- started a few weeks ago, is about cultivating the next generation of "Seinfeld" fans in the interactive ways they enjoy rather than traditional magazine ads and the like. "There are tens of millions of college students who were toddlers when the show was on the air and still kids when it went off the air," he explains, pointing particularly to the 70 million-strong "millennial" demo of 10- to 28-year-olds. "Our goal is to keep the show popular on DVD, in syndication and any future digital sell-through or other opportunities." Some fans here wondered out loud if the "Seinfeld Campus Tour" meant the show could return to TV or as a one-off movie. "I don't think there's an opportunity to bring it back," Oswaks said, pointing to the cast's busy schedules, among other things. After nine seasons on NBC, the final episode of "Seinfeld" in May 1998 drew 76 million viewers. The show won 13 Emmys, and Sony executives highlight that "Seinfeld" remains a top 5 syndie show and has outperformed current network sitcoms among men 18-49, including "My Name Is Earl," "The Office" and "Two and a Half Men." The show went into syndication in 1995 with a record 210 stations. Research firm SNL Kagan estimates that "Seinfeld" brought in revenue of $4.6 million, $5.2 million and $5.3 million per episode in TV station syndication cycles 1, 2 and 3, respectively. For cable syndication, the first cycle brought in $1 million per episode, it estimates. The sitcom also has done strong DVD business with more than 9 million DVDs sold in the U.S. and, according to Home Media Research, an estimated $456 million in revenue. The "Seinfeld" bus entertains with show memorabilia and video highlights. Fans can also try out a "Seinfeld" DVD game and get their picture taken with cutouts of the show's stars. Importantly for reaching young fans, laptops show off the MySpace and Facebook presences of "Seinfeld." In a cross-promotional effort, visitors also have an opportunity to win Sony Video Walkmans and digital cameras by playing games with a "Seinfeld" twist. Among the dozens of fans checking out the bus early Thursday was Michael, 14, who was turned on to the show by his parents. "It's just like reality and really funny," he said. He then got an autograph from his favorite "Seinfeld" character, "Soup Nazi" Larry Thomas, who was on hand. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...50de6804257fd6 Attached Images
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09-07-2008, 01:28 AM	#2
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	That is so awesome! I am dying for it to come here (or anywhere near here!). This I HAVE to see! And how cool to meet the "Soup Nazi"! Just don't tell him he looks like Al Pacino! Andrea
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09-07-2008, 11:26 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382
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09-07-2008, 10:44 AM	#4
DSfan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,204	I wish I could see this tour Ah well, I will just have to buy the trivia game when it is released. That will be good enough. I read yesterday on Wikipedia that Jerry Seinfeld makes $60 million a year. That's unbelievable considering he really only does a little bit of stand up. I am wondering how much he makes for each episode in syndication and what percentage of DVD sales go back to him.

09-10-2008, 11:07 PM	#6
Anti-Dentyte Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 22, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 100	That's awesome. It's great to see that one of my favorite tv shows of all-time is becoming such a timeless classic. And deservedly so----Seinfeld is the funniest and best sitcom of all time.

09-11-2008, 05:17 PM	#8
DSfan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,204	What will be crazy is, Seinfeld will keep airing forever so in 50 years when, most likely, he will be dead, his family will keep becoming richer and richer because the show will never die and every descendant can cash in. I don't know if that is a good thing or not though.

09-12-2008, 05:37 PM	#12
DSfan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,204	Hopefully not lol. I hate Degrassi...

09-13-2008, 12:27 AM	#13
Anti-Dentyte Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 22, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 100	I used to like the original Degrassi Junior High when I was growing up. All the kids in my class were watching that show religiously.