FOX Expected to Make BILLIONS in Syndication of 'The Simpsons' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 01-02-2012, 09:34 PM

News Corp. will return so much capital to shareholders, in part funded by The Simpsons syndication money, that it will more than make up for any settlement related to phone hacking by its U.K. newspapers and fuel a bull market in the stock, according to an analyst.

"We think News Corp. has capacity/potential to return $15 billion of capital (34% of current market cap) to shareholders over the next three years" in the form of buybacks and dividends, wrote David Bank, media analyst for RBC Capital Markets, in a note Thursday.

"The potential cancellation of The Simpsons (in the next few years) and the subsequent syndication on cable could provide windfall profits for NWSA."

While 20th Century Fox Television re-signed the longest-running comedy on television for two more seasons in October, it is unlikely the run will go any further given the tumultuous negotiations that took place with the voice actors.

And here's why it will mean a windfall for the company within three years. The syndication agreement was signed years ago at a different time in the media landscape and only allowed Fox to sell the show to local affiliates.

Now, News Corp. ( NWSA) could sell to cable stations such as TBS and Comedy Central and so-called over-the-top distributors like Netflix. Bank wrote in a note back in October that the company could easily get $1 million to $2 million per episode for the 500-plus episode library.

That means a few seasons of The Simpsons could cover a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission over the phone hacking that Bank estimates could amount to "tens-to-hundreds of millions of dollars."

RBC made News Corp. one of its top picks for the new year Thursday, forecasting a 20% increase in the shares to $21. The analyst also cited retransmission fees, growing ratings at its cable networks and expected record political spending as reasons to own the stock.

http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/52295156?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Business|p

robyrob · 01-02-2012, 10:25 PM

so because a bunch of FOX executives are soulless criminals who don't give a fig for anyone else or the consequences of their actions, Simpsons fans have to suffer?

expect to see Simpsons reruns on at least a dozen cable channels in addition to the locals, airing dozens of times per day, every day in the near future.

Brian Damage · 01-03-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

so because a bunch of FOX executives are soulless criminals who don't give a fig for anyone else or the consequences of their actions, Simpsons fans have to suffer?

expect to see Simpsons reruns on at least a dozen cable channels in addition to the locals, airing dozens of times per day, every day in the near future.

No doubt about it.

mets82 · 01-03-2012, 09:33 PM

I dont understand why The Simpsons isnt on much in syndication. I mean look at The Big Bang Theory, Family Guy, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, Friends, The Office. Those shows are on seemingly all the time and the thing is The Simpsons have more episodes than any of those shows, so it would take longer to go through the entire series.

You look at Seinfeld, Friends or The Big Bang Theory. They dont make or made as many episodes therefore they go throught there an entire series quicker.

Brian Damage · 01-03-2012, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mets82

I dont understand why The Simpsons isnt on much in syndication. I mean look at The Big Bang Theory, Family Guy, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, Friends, The Office. Those shows are on seemingly all the time and the thing is The Simpsons have more episodes than any of those shows, so it would take longer to go through the entire series.

You look at Seinfeld, Friends or The Big Bang Theory. They dont make or made as many episodes therefore they go throught there an entire series quicker.

That's because syndication wasn't as HUGE as it is now with all the various cable networks. So when the Simpsons were up for syndication, FOX signed with local affiliates instead.

mets82 · 01-03-2012, 11:15 PM

Oh I see. When do you think The Simpsons will be up for syndication again because I cant see how ANY syndication channel/network would not jump at the chance for The Simpsons.

Brian Damage · 01-03-2012, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mets82

Oh I see. When do you think The Simpsons will be up for syndication again because I cant see how ANY syndication channel/network would not jump at the chance for The Simpsons.

I am guessing in another 2 years and I agree with you.

01-02-2012, 09:34 PM	#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: 63,108	FOX Expected to Make BILLIONS in Syndication of 'The Simpsons' News Corp. will return so much capital to shareholders, in part funded by The Simpsons syndication money, that it will more than make up for any settlement related to phone hacking by its U.K. newspapers and fuel a bull market in the stock, according to an analyst. "We think News Corp. has capacity/potential to return $15 billion of capital (34% of current market cap) to shareholders over the next three years" in the form of buybacks and dividends, wrote David Bank, media analyst for RBC Capital Markets, in a note Thursday. "The potential cancellation of The Simpsons (in the next few years) and the subsequent syndication on cable could provide windfall profits for NWSA." While 20th Century Fox Television re-signed the longest-running comedy on television for two more seasons in October, it is unlikely the run will go any further given the tumultuous negotiations that took place with the voice actors. And here's why it will mean a windfall for the company within three years. The syndication agreement was signed years ago at a different time in the media landscape and only allowed Fox to sell the show to local affiliates. Now, News Corp. ( NWSA) could sell to cable stations such as TBS and Comedy Central and so-called over-the-top distributors like Netflix. Bank wrote in a note back in October that the company could easily get $1 million to $2 million per episode for the 500-plus episode library. That means a few seasons of The Simpsons could cover a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission over the phone hacking that Bank estimates could amount to "tens-to-hundreds of millions of dollars." RBC made News Corp. one of its top picks for the new year Thursday, forecasting a 20% increase in the shares to $21. The analyst also cited retransmission fees, growing ratings at its cable networks and expected record political spending as reasons to own the stock. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/52295156?odyssey=mod\|newswell\|text\|Business\|p
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-02-2012, 10:25 PM	#2
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,231	so because a bunch of FOX executives are soulless criminals who don't give a fig for anyone else or the consequences of their actions, Simpsons fans have to suffer? expect to see Simpsons reruns on at least a dozen cable channels in addition to the locals, airing dozens of times per day, every day in the near future.
	__________________ * firefox * AdAware * HiJackThis * CoolWebShredder * Spybot * SpywareBlaster * Spyware Terminator * * GeeksToGo * AntiVir * Avast antivirus * Housecall Online * Sysinternals Security Utilities * * ZoneAlarm * Agnitum-firewall * Comodo Firewall * AVG Anti-Rootkit * RootkitRevealer * ParasiteCheck * * Annoyances * FreeCodecs * Mikes-Hosts-File * GRC.com * MSAntispyware * DVD's * TradeList * myspace *

01-03-2012, 09:33 PM	#4
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,065	I dont understand why The Simpsons isnt on much in syndication. I mean look at The Big Bang Theory, Family Guy, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, Friends, The Office. Those shows are on seemingly all the time and the thing is The Simpsons have more episodes than any of those shows, so it would take longer to go through the entire series. You look at Seinfeld, Friends or The Big Bang Theory. They dont make or made as many episodes therefore they go throught there an entire series quicker.
	__________________ http://www.superbowlgreatness.blogspot.com/ Please check out my blog. I vent on all things. TV, sports etc. you name it. Its also a work in progress. Check out and see what you think.

01-03-2012, 11:15 PM	#6
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,065	Oh I see. When do you think The Simpsons will be up for syndication again because I cant see how ANY syndication channel/network would not jump at the chance for The Simpsons.