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'Southland' finds a home on TNT
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Critically-acclaimed-yet-cancelled "Southland" has been picked up by cable channel TNT.TNT released a statement Monday (Nov. 2) confirming that it's closed a deal to bring "Southland" to the network in January. The program was dropped from NBC's lineup before even one episode of its sophomore season had aired.
TNT quickly emerged as a possible new home for the show (which is produced by its corporate sibling Warner Bros. TV), and after several weeks of negotiations the deal got done.
The show, about a veteran cop (Michael Cudlitz) assigned to train a rookie cop (Ben McKenzie), aired seven episodes last year on NBC. TNT has obtained exclusive rights to those episodes as well as the six episodes filmed for the second season.
President of Turner Entertainment Networks Steve Koonin says, "This is a great win for fans of 'Southland' and a perfect opportunity to introduce the series to new viewers. It's also another outstanding example of how TNT has established itself as the go-to place for the best dramas on television."
There is no word as to whether there will be any additional episodes filmed but it probably depends on the ratings for the first 13 episodes. "Southland" will air on Tuesday nights at 10 pm ET beginning Jan. 12.
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Related:
NBC cancels 'Southland' before season premiere
'Southland' could be headed to TNT
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Sweet. Now it's up to the fans to tune in and reward TNT for stepping up. The ratings have to be good for them to want to start up filming again and keep the show alive past the six episodes that have already been filmed.
Awesome, THANK YOU TNT!
Excellent! "Southland" was the ONLY show I watched on NBC this past season. The writing, acting and plot lines were nothing short of terrific, hence the cancellation by NBC, the National Bonehead Company!
Thanks, TNT...I'll be marking my calendar for January 12!
Hopefully the show will still get 6-8 million viewers per week like it did on NBC. If it gets in the 7's, TNT will probably add more eps.
So new Southland eps start March 3rd....if TNT airs the first 7 w/o a break, we will get season 2 in March. A long wait, but worth it!
How is TNT the "go to" place?
Except for The Closer, which is way past its creative highs and is starting to dip in the ratings, the rest of TNT's lineup is not working.
How is adding Southland, a show that already didn't work with the public, going to help?
I think the reality is that TNT figured they'd get the show for cheap, get a couple of articles in the press and hopefully make a few bucks while not doing anything positive for the network... which looks frighteningly like the Jeff Zucker approach to losing your audience (I mean profitability.. yes, that's what I meant... profitability..!) ;)
Nice job, TNT. Better an average cop show (which Southland is) than yet another rerun of Law & Order or, goddess forbid, some reality show starring some doofus that will be obsolete in two months anyway. All you supposed fans out there, watch the show. If the ratings suck, you have nobody to blame but yourselves.
And TNT is the "go to" place because they, at least, are willing to take a chance on a show that has potential, rather than relying only on ratings reports and ad sales. More cable channels should be so bold.
I'm glad to hear that this great show will continue. NBC is at the bottom of the tank because they could'nt pick a winner in a one horse race. I don't know if it's too late but I hope TNT would take a look at " Kings ". It is/was one of the finest new shows out in years.
This is great news, indeed. One less thing I have to watch on NBC. Thanks, TNT.
REALLY IMPORTANT that everybody spread the word - have watch parties - Important that the ratings are higher than they were on NBC. Teach those flaming bastards a lesson they will never forget. Otherwise, in the future, TNT might not be able to pick up a great canceled show. Stick it to NBC (and reward TNT in the process!)