Fastest syndication EVER?
After only seven weeks on the air, syndication rights for NCIS: LA have been bought by USA Network, which has already had a great syndication run with the original NCIS.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, NCIS: LL Cool J LA is going for roughly $1.9 2.5 million per episode 
THR updated the story from their original report of 1.9 million).
The unusually quick deal is testament to the popularity of the "NCIS" brand -- and the ability for top cable networks to capitalize on crime procedurals in syndication. In its seventh season, "NCIS" has grown to become the most-watched drama series on TV.
Update: Not quite as fast, but The Mentalist has been sold into syndication as well.
Not suprised USA picked it up so fast. NCIS is huge for them!
Well the series will inevitably be on for years. Since its part of a franchise NCIS LA is basically renewed for next season already. I can see the show being on for the next 5 years just like how CSI NY and CSI Miami are still on along with CSI. NCIS LA will be on for a while with NCIS. Not surprising in the least bit. And to think if CBS had never picked up JAG for a second year or NBC had renewed it, there would be no NCIS or NCIS LA.
something tells me that this show is staying around for a while
Wow that has to be the fastest show to go in syndication ever! I’m probably the only person on earth that dosent watch NCIS, but I do watch NCIS: LA, and I think this is a good move in USA Network’s part.
I’m surprised that we haven’t heard where is Brothers & Sisters will be in syndication.
this has to be a record.
“The spinoff is going for roughly $2.5 million per episode.”
x 24 eps. = $60 million per season
Does USA hand over about $240 million now or when they start airing the episodes in 2013?
J.R., there’s no way they are paying the whole thing up front. My guess is they locked a per episode price in now, but won’t actually pay for the episodes until they get them. Whether they pay for the full season at a time (or two full seasons as will be the case by 2011 when they can begin airing) as they get the rights to air or are on some sort of payment schedule I don’t know. I’d guess some sort of payment schedule, but it’s merely a guess.
To be clear, unless the article has been updated yet again while I typed this comment, they can begin airing in 2011, but won’t begin daily Mon-Fri airings until 2013.
B&S should be sold soon, maybe around the end of this season to lifetime. B&S seems like it will go on for a while also.
So, basically CBS is on the hook for at least four seasons. While I assume it would have stuck around anyway, I’m surprised they would commit to it so early. While it’s a decent performer, it’s not a ratings juggernaut or anything, and it could easily fail in the next few seasons.
How is CBS on the hook for the next four seasons? [NOTE: Just because they've signed a syndication deal with USA it would be contingent on the episodes being made] If the show plummets soon then CBS is unlikely to bring it back – however, it seems unlikely this will happen. This deal will only help the show if the show is looking marginal to come back for either s3 or 4. I would suggest though that this does mean that we’ll be seeing NCIS:LA for at least another 4 years! Just like GW and Medium will be locks to return next year due to their crazy syndication deals with Scifi and Lifetime respectably. I actually spoke to the woman who organised the GW deal (or someone involved with it) and she said that it worked out very well for CBS with the split distribution or however it works so there is quite a bit of money on the backend provided that CBS keeps the costs of the show down and the ratings hold up around a 2.0 – not to mention that it’s one of the only shows to be performing well on Friday!
Raymond, maybe this deal isn’t the same as other similar deals, but I know there have been syndication deals where the studio is promising X number of episodes will be made to fulfill the syndication deal.
Its almost 100% that the show will continue and last until syndication.
I think that CBS took into consideration that NCIS wasn’t the smash hit it is now when it started. USA repeats really helped it take off to where it is now, and CBS is taking the gamble that USA will do the same thing for NCIS LA. Even though LA isn’t a juggernaut, and I agree with Julia the show could take a downward turn, CBS and USA must see potential in the show and both were willing to take the gamble. And it’s not really a risk for CBS, even if the show only gets mediocre ratings, the syndication deal will keep it on the air.
What happens if the show doesn’t make it to 65 episodes?
does 2.5 million cover the per episode budget?
Tommy, I think the gamble for CBS is not that it will cost them money, but that it will drag their averages down. But I suppose they can always stick it on Fridays, if necessary, and hope for the best.
Where do you think Old Christine will end up in syndication?
Good for both the NCIS brand and USA Network. This won’t be a risk as crime dramas have proven to be valuable commodities in the cable industry. USA could have a very good solid character focus with off-net procedurals if they can add The Mentalist and Castle. Making USA the #1 destination on TV for viewers to get their repeat fix on procedurals.
CBS will have 2-4 years to get good repeat performances out of NCIS: LA. Probably the reason why The Mentalist isn’t on another network yet so CBS doesn’t lose those solid repeat ratings they get for it.
I think Christine will end up on either FX, TBS, or Lifetime. Since Christine hasn’t been seen by the masses just yet, I think the show will see a huge second life once it hits syndication.