Fox discusses deal with Conan O'Brien...Would Like A Deal Before May 17th - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-17-2010, 09:24 AM

Fox Broadcasting is hoping to finalize a deal to bring Conan O’Brien to its latenight airwaves in time to announce it during the network's upfront on May 17, reports Meg James at the Los Angeles Times.

Those close to the comedian are also hopeful that a deal can be made, according to the article.

One key element to be worked out, the paper says, is whether O’Brien’s camp thinks it can put on the show for less than $60 million annually, far less than the nearly $90 million that NBC spent, including O’Brien’s salary.

Citing sources, the paper says that top executives, including Rupert Murdoch are on board with bringing O’Brien onboard, but the issue of getting affiliates to give up the lucrative time remains another key hurdle. But last week, the paper says, Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly and Entertainment chairman Peter Rice came up with plan that works financially for the network.

According to James' report, "The major hurdle comes from Fox stations, which are obligated to air reruns at specific time periods, in some cases after the 10 p.m. news. That would mean forcing a proposed O'Brien show, at least initially, to air at different time periods: 11 p.m. in some markets, 11:30 -- or later -- in other cities.

"Without a uniform start time, it would be hard to get traction for a show and hard to promote it," said Jason Maltby, a top ad buyer for the firm Mindshare. "Saying, 'Check your local listings' doesn't have the same ring to it as saying, ' "The Tonight Show at 11:35 p.m." ' "

The report says it could be up to two years before some affiliates could run the show at 11 p.m.

If a deal with Fox isn't consummated, O'Brien will consider his options on cable, the report says.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...0,540516.story

TV Knowledge Fan · 03-23-2010, 06:44 PM

...as I understand it, Rupert Murdoch was the one who originally stated, "Give me one good reason why we should sign Conan O'Brien to a late night contract?". He had the same doubts as NBC executives had when they originally hired Conan to succeed Letterman on "LATE NIGHT", way back in 1993. Now, "The Great Rupert" is on Conan's side? Every decision Murdoch has made concerning Fox has come with an ulterior motive; I wonder what he's planning THIS time.......

Fox had already failed at least twice to squeeze itself onto a national weeknight late-night talk show (I refer, of course, to Joan Rivers' "LATE SHOW" and "THE CHEVY CHASE SHOW"). I can see why most of their executives and stations are worried about "another flop". The safest thing to do would be for the local affiliates to stick to their post-11pm(et) sitcom repeats, syndicated "daytime" talk shows and the like [most of them distributed by 20th Century-Fox]...but where is the sense of "danger" and "excitement" in doing that? Give Conan the same deal he originally had with NBC: thirteen weeks to prove himself, or move on to another outlet- and then, the local Fox stations can comfortably remain content and "lethargic" with their local late-night programming, including the inevitable six hours or more of "infomercials" overnight [that's what WNYW and WWOR, Murdoch's "flagship stations", have in New York]. They'll make their money, to be sure...and watch themselves wither away in the process.

TeeVeeCloset · 03-23-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

...

Fox had already failed at least twice to squeeze itself onto a national weeknight late-night talk show (I refer, of course, to Joan Rivers' "LATE SHOW" and "THE CHEVY CHASE SHOW"). I can see why most of their executives and stations are worried about "another flop".

Couldn't agree more.....but you forgot the infamous "The Magic Hour" with Magic Johnson & they screwed up a deal with Arsenio who took over for Joan and then they let him go for free agency and that's how he began in syndication.

I personally think and said this 2 months ago, I think Conan let his ego get in his way too much and made a rash decision to leave NBC, yes it was embarrasing what NBC did to him and his decision was honorable, but coming on at 12:05AM leaving Leno with just a half hour would have eventually paid off, and there is nothing like competing on a real network at that time.....Conan's statement about wrecking the franchise and timeslot was lame, the franchise changed just as TV has especially when Johnny left....TV has turned to color, High Def, screen ratio 16:9, etc......"Meet The Press" and other staples from TV earliest days have changed direction and timeslots over the years...."The Today Show" wasn't 4 hours either when it first came on in the 50's. Conan would have gotten the show back someday, but going to Fox, cable or syndication is a BIG stepdown and besides his audience is the same as John Stewart and they are not going to leave Stewart & Colbert if they compete head to head at 11:00PM.

TV Knowledge Fan · 03-23-2010, 07:42 PM

....."THE MAGIC HOUR" was actually syndicated by Fox in the summer of 1998, and didn't appear on their network, 'TeeVee'- still, they should have known better. Just because someone like Johnson is well known and liked by viewers doesn't automatically make him a "legitimate" talk show host...especially if he isn't equipped to handle the job!

We shall see what happens to O'Brien next....

TeeVeeCloset · 03-23-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

....."THE MAGIC HOUR" was actually syndicated by Fox in the summer of 1998, and didn't appear on their network, 'TeeVee'- still, they should have known better. Just because someone like Johnson is well known and liked by viewers doesn't automatically make him a "legitimate" talk show host...especially is he isn't equipped to handle the job!

We shall see what happens to O'Brien next....

I got confused because it did air on my local Fox flagship WNYW, here in New York, before Murd*ck took possesion of WWOR as well, the duopoly rules should have never been dropped......anyway
I should have known you wouldn't omit or forget something, I consider you to be exactly what your name is on these boards and one of or if not the most accurate poster here on sitcoms.

TVFactFan · 03-23-2010, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Fox Broadcasting is hoping to finalize a deal to bring Conan O’Brien to its latenight airwaves in time to announce it during the network's upfront on May 17, reports Meg James at the Los Angeles Times.

Those close to the comedian are also hopeful that a deal can be made, according to the article.

One key element to be worked out, the paper says, is whether O’Brien’s camp thinks it can put on the show for less than $60 million annually, far less than the nearly $90 million that NBC spent, including O’Brien’s salary.

Citing sources, the paper says that top executives, including Rupert Murdoch are on board with bringing O’Brien onboard, but the issue of getting affiliates to give up the lucrative time remains another key hurdle. But last week, the paper says, Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly and Entertainment chairman Peter Rice came up with plan that works financially for the network.

According to James' report, "The major hurdle comes from Fox stations, which are obligated to air reruns at specific time periods, in some cases after the 10 p.m. news. That would mean forcing a proposed O'Brien show, at least initially, to air at different time periods: 11 p.m. in some markets, 11:30 -- or later -- in other cities.

"Without a uniform start time, it would be hard to get traction for a show and hard to promote it," said Jason Maltby, a top ad buyer for the firm Mindshare. "Saying, 'Check your local listings' doesn't have the same ring to it as saying, ' "The Tonight Show at 11:35 p.m." ' "

The report says it could be up to two years before some affiliates could run the show at 11 p.m.

If a deal with Fox isn't consummated, O'Brien will consider his options on cable, the report says.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...0,540516.story

Nobody is going to WATCH-lol Like Last year-lol

Adamantium · 03-23-2010, 11:54 PM

I'll watch. Don't forget, Conan had the majority of the young viewers. They'll follow him to FOX. And he's even picked up some more fans out of this mess. And even if he doesn't beat Leno, who cares? At least he'll still be on television, delivering the comedy to those who enjoy a good laugh.

Marvo301 · 03-24-2010, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

I'll watch. Don't forget, Conan had the majority of the young viewers. They'll follow him to FOX. And he's even picked up some more fans out of this mess. And even if he doesn't beat Leno, who cares? At least he'll still be on television, delivering the comedy to those who enjoy a good laugh.

NBC will care if Conan doesn't beat Jay in the ratings. It will give them a chance to pat themselves on the back and say they made the right choice. Another words an opportunity to save face and put a positive spin on this whole thing. (even though it will far too little far too late)

TV Knowledge Fan · 03-26-2010, 12:05 AM

...I'm quite humbled at your kind remark about me.

Conan is tackling his "live talk show" tour because he knows that kind of exposure will keep him and his entourage before the viewing public, since he can't appear on TV until the fall. Keep in mind that Harry Truman won the 1948 Presidential election- even when most experts and pollsters predicted his opponent Thomas Dewey was practically a shoo-in, long before the polls opened that November- because Truman went on a "whistle-stop" campaign by train, appearing across the country, in virtually every state in the nation, to remind voters of his platform and his participation in what was supposed to be a "one-horse race" (with him as "the loser"). HE knew that if you went directly to the people, stated your case, and forcefully demonstrated that you were a "contender" and "underdog", staying in the political race until the very end, you would make a big impression with voters. This is what Conan hopes to do with his "campaign". And the people that show up for his live appearances won't forget, either. Should Fox agree to give him a chance after 11pm(et), there will be an audience watching him as a result of his tour.....

TeeVeeCloset · 03-26-2010, 09:31 AM

I agree knowledge and I am on "Team Conan", even though I really am a lifelong Letterman fan going back to the days of him subbing on the tonight show and his ill-fated morning show.....not many here can say that or are saying, "Letterman started in the morning?"....I know you know that......

I think we are both in agreement regarding Murdocks business operations and his track record is not good, I just feel he will really low-ball conans' salary compared to what NBC would have given him, the affliates will complain they are loosing the precious after 10PM syndicated/local time period and as stated it is hard to build an audience with a regular timeslot across the country.....he could fade in two years or less, and if he would have stayed put at NBC, it would have given him more credibility. I still think he made a rash decision that could be the pre-mature end of his career.

I noticed you are in this area, I don't know if you grew up here, but I guess I will never get over loosing my precious childhood WNEW-TV/ Channel 5 and with Murdock also gaining control of WWOR was and is a disaster.....in fact he could choose to put conan on WWOR in NY at 11PM, not really desirable, but if he does that, I think it will be a ratings disaster after the intial interest dries up.

lastly, I really do think "The Daily Show/Colbert Report" audience really is a factor with competing against Conan.......with Conan on the loosing side.

catlover79 · 03-26-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

....."THE MAGIC HOUR" was actually syndicated by Fox in the summer of 1998, and didn't appear on their network, 'TeeVee'- still, they should have known better. Just because someone like Johnson is well known and liked by viewers doesn't automatically make him a "legitimate" talk show host...especially if he isn't equipped to handle the job!

We shall see what happens to O'Brien next....

The Magic Hour...or as Jim Rome called it, The Tragic Hour.

TV Knowledge Fan · 03-27-2010, 12:19 AM

...Letterman's 1980 NBC daytime show, 'TeeVee'; I saw it (and I knew it wasn't going to be around for long, because daytime network variety shows pretty much ended around the time of ABC's "DON HO SHOW" in 1976, and Dave was "too weird" for an audience primarily aimed at housewives).

I also remember when Rupert Murdoch's "News Corp." took over what had been WNEW-TV in 1986 [when he acquired Metromedia's TV interests], and changed it into "WNYW". Slowly, his conglomerate changed the "heart" of channel 5, until it now mostly consists of Fox-oriented programming, either first-run syndicated shows {"THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW" and "FAMILY FEUD", through Debmar-Mercury and 20th Television} and repeats {"THE SIMPSONS", natutrally}...and constant promotion of Fox series {including "AMERICAN IDOL"} on their "FOX 5 NEWS AT TEN". Several years back, Murdoch acquired Chris-Craft's TV properties...including WWOR-TV..and turned that into "Fox 5 II" (some of their news stories are seen on both Channel 5 and 9- all the reporter does is tape different lead-ins and closings, holding the appropriate station's mike in front of them). And sportcaster Russ Salzberg appears on Channel 5 before the end of their 10pm newscast to remind viewers he's also on Channel 9's 11pm newscast. Channel 9 eliminated their weekend newscasts late last year (yeah, why bother producing them when Murdoch can save money by running one of his syndicated Fox-produced repeats, like "HOUSE" or "BOSTON LEGAL", instead?). And WWOR airs "paid informercials" on weekend mornings because that's also cheaper than scheduling "legitimate" series- and besides, those companies producing those half-hour pieces of junk PAY them to do so! And the FCC won't do anything about News Corp.'s dual ownership of WNYW and WWOR because Murdoch is "too powerful" to instigate anti-trust actions against him...I WOULD!

As for Conan, maybe it's better if he bypasses Fox if favor of another outlet....who needs them? Who REALLY needs them???

03-17-2010, 09:24 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	Fox discusses deal with Conan O'Brien...Would Like A Deal Before May 17th Fox Broadcasting is hoping to finalize a deal to bring Conan O’Brien to its latenight airwaves in time to announce it during the network's upfront on May 17, reports Meg James at the Los Angeles Times. Those close to the comedian are also hopeful that a deal can be made, according to the article. One key element to be worked out, the paper says, is whether O’Brien’s camp thinks it can put on the show for less than $60 million annually, far less than the nearly $90 million that NBC spent, including O’Brien’s salary. Citing sources, the paper says that top executives, including Rupert Murdoch are on board with bringing O’Brien onboard, but the issue of getting affiliates to give up the lucrative time remains another key hurdle. But last week, the paper says, Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly and Entertainment chairman Peter Rice came up with plan that works financially for the network. According to James' report, "The major hurdle comes from Fox stations, which are obligated to air reruns at specific time periods, in some cases after the 10 p.m. news. That would mean forcing a proposed O'Brien show, at least initially, to air at different time periods: 11 p.m. in some markets, 11:30 -- or later -- in other cities. "Without a uniform start time, it would be hard to get traction for a show and hard to promote it," said Jason Maltby, a top ad buyer for the firm Mindshare. "Saying, 'Check your local listings' doesn't have the same ring to it as saying, ' "The Tonight Show at 11:35 p.m." ' " The report says it could be up to two years before some affiliates could run the show at 11 p.m. If a deal with Fox isn't consummated, O'Brien will consider his options on cable, the report says. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...0,540516.story
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

03-23-2010, 06:44 PM	#2
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	I see... ...as I understand it, Rupert Murdoch was the one who originally stated, "Give me one good reason why we should sign Conan O'Brien to a late night contract?". He had the same doubts as NBC executives had when they originally hired Conan to succeed Letterman on "LATE NIGHT", way back in 1993. Now, "The Great Rupert" is on Conan's side? Every decision Murdoch has made concerning Fox has come with an ulterior motive; I wonder what he's planning THIS time....... Fox had already failed at least twice to squeeze itself onto a national weeknight late-night talk show (I refer, of course, to Joan Rivers' "LATE SHOW" and "THE CHEVY CHASE SHOW"). I can see why most of their executives and stations are worried about "another flop". The safest thing to do would be for the local affiliates to stick to their post-11pm(et) sitcom repeats, syndicated "daytime" talk shows and the like [most of them distributed by 20th Century-Fox]...but where is the sense of "danger" and "excitement" in doing that? Give Conan the same deal he originally had with NBC: thirteen weeks to prove himself, or move on to another outlet- and then, the local Fox stations can comfortably remain content and "lethargic" with their local late-night programming, including the inevitable six hours or more of "infomercials" overnight [that's what WNYW and WWOR, Murdoch's "flagship stations", have in New York]. They'll make their money, to be sure...and watch themselves wither away in the process.

03-23-2010, 07:42 PM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	........ ....."THE MAGIC HOUR" was actually syndicated by Fox in the summer of 1998, and didn't appear on their network, 'TeeVee'- still, they should have known better. Just because someone like Johnson is well known and liked by viewers doesn't automatically make him a "legitimate" talk show host...especially if he isn't equipped to handle the job! We shall see what happens to O'Brien next....
	Last edited by TV Knowledge Fan; 03-23-2010 at 08:00 PM.

03-26-2010, 12:05 AM	#9
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Thank you, 'TeeVee'.... ...I'm quite humbled at your kind remark about me. Conan is tackling his "live talk show" tour because he knows that kind of exposure will keep him and his entourage before the viewing public, since he can't appear on TV until the fall. Keep in mind that Harry Truman won the 1948 Presidential election- even when most experts and pollsters predicted his opponent Thomas Dewey was practically a shoo-in, long before the polls opened that November- because Truman went on a "whistle-stop" campaign by train, appearing across the country, in virtually every state in the nation, to remind voters of his platform and his participation in what was supposed to be a "one-horse race" (with him as "the loser"). HE knew that if you went directly to the people, stated your case, and forcefully demonstrated that you were a "contender" and "underdog", staying in the political race until the very end, you would make a big impression with voters. This is what Conan hopes to do with his "campaign". And the people that show up for his live appearances won't forget, either. Should Fox agree to give him a chance after 11pm(et), there will be an audience watching him as a result of his tour.....

03-27-2010, 12:19 AM	#12
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Oh, I know about.... ...Letterman's 1980 NBC daytime show, 'TeeVee'; I saw it (and I knew it wasn't going to be around for long, because daytime network variety shows pretty much ended around the time of ABC's "DON HO SHOW" in 1976, and Dave was "too weird" for an audience primarily aimed at housewives). I also remember when Rupert Murdoch's "News Corp." took over what had been WNEW-TV in 1986 [when he acquired Metromedia's TV interests], and changed it into "WNYW". Slowly, his conglomerate changed the "heart" of channel 5, until it now mostly consists of Fox-oriented programming, either first-run syndicated shows {"THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW" and "FAMILY FEUD", through Debmar-Mercury and 20th Television} and repeats {"THE SIMPSONS", natutrally}...and constant promotion of Fox series {including "AMERICAN IDOL"} on their "FOX 5 NEWS AT TEN". Several years back, Murdoch acquired Chris-Craft's TV properties...including WWOR-TV..and turned that into "Fox 5 II" (some of their news stories are seen on both Channel 5 and 9- all the reporter does is tape different lead-ins and closings, holding the appropriate station's mike in front of them). And sportcaster Russ Salzberg appears on Channel 5 before the end of their 10pm newscast to remind viewers he's also on Channel 9's 11pm newscast. Channel 9 eliminated their weekend newscasts late last year (yeah, why bother producing them when Murdoch can save money by running one of his syndicated Fox-produced repeats, like "HOUSE" or "BOSTON LEGAL", instead?). And WWOR airs "paid informercials" on weekend mornings because that's also cheaper than scheduling "legitimate" series- and besides, those companies producing those half-hour pieces of junk PAY them to do so! And the FCC won't do anything about News Corp.'s dual ownership of WNYW and WWOR because Murdoch is "too powerful" to instigate anti-trust actions against him...I WOULD! As for Conan, maybe it's better if he bypasses Fox if favor of another outlet....who needs them? Who REALLY needs them???

03-23-2010, 11:54 PM	#7
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,826	I'll watch. Don't forget, Conan had the majority of the young viewers. They'll follow him to FOX. And he's even picked up some more fans out of this mess. And even if he doesn't beat Leno, who cares? At least he'll still be on television, delivering the comedy to those who enjoy a good laugh.

03-26-2010, 09:31 AM	#10
TeeVeeCloset Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 1,873	I agree knowledge and I am on "Team Conan", even though I really am a lifelong Letterman fan going back to the days of him subbing on the tonight show and his ill-fated morning show.....not many here can say that or are saying, "Letterman started in the morning?"....I know you know that...... I think we are both in agreement regarding Murdocks business operations and his track record is not good, I just feel he will really low-ball conans' salary compared to what NBC would have given him, the affliates will complain they are loosing the precious after 10PM syndicated/local time period and as stated it is hard to build an audience with a regular timeslot across the country.....he could fade in two years or less, and if he would have stayed put at NBC, it would have given him more credibility. I still think he made a rash decision that could be the pre-mature end of his career. I noticed you are in this area, I don't know if you grew up here, but I guess I will never get over loosing my precious childhood WNEW-TV/ Channel 5 and with Murdock also gaining control of WWOR was and is a disaster.....in fact he could choose to put conan on WWOR in NY at 11PM, not really desirable, but if he does that, I think it will be a ratings disaster after the intial interest dries up. lastly, I really do think "The Daily Show/Colbert Report" audience really is a factor with competing against Conan.......with Conan on the loosing side.