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FOX on Conan O'Brien: Only if it's profitable
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Conan O'Brien could very well end up on FOX by the fall -- provided the network can show its corporate bosses that a late-night show would make money.So sayeth Rupert Murdoch, chairman and CEO of FOX parent News Corp. On a conference call discussing the company's financial results Wednesday (Feb. 3), Murdoch said the network is giving a late-night show "a lot of thought and examination."
"[C]ertainly if the program people can show us that we could do it, and be fairly confident of making a profit on it, we'd do it in a flash," Murdoch said.
The "if" there is a pretty sizable one, though. FOX affiliates run syndicated shows after their late local newscasts, and those tend to be moneymakers for the stations. They would have to sign off on any late-night franchise, about which Murdoch said, "I'm sure we'll have some difficult negotiations, but I'm speculating. We'll have to wait and see."
At any rate, a deal between FOX and the former "Tonight Show" host is a ways off. "I'm sure there have been some conversations [with O'Brien]," Chase Carey, News Corp.'s president and COO, said on the call, "but if you mean real negotiation, no."
O'Brien's departure from NBC stipulated that he couldn't host a show anywhere else until September.
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Photo credit: NBC
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"Only if it's profitable."
Heh, I guess Conan might not be getting a show on FOX after all. Honestly, I think he'd be a better fit on Comedy Central or another cable outlet, where his brand of humor could find a niche. The FOX affiliate around here has already stated that they wouldn't be interested in pulling their nighttime line-up for a talk show anyway, so Conan might need to search elsewhere.
Conan should make a syndicated show. One where Fox (or CW) affiliates can Pick up the show. Fox and CW both already leave that late night spot to the affiliates, so why not cut the network out and let the affiliates profit.
Of course it will be profitable.
Conan's NBC contract stipulates that anything he earns during the duration of the rest of that period, will be deducted from the $40M NBC agreed to pay him in damages for firing him.
So, he could stick it to NBC and guarantee 3 years on FOX to build an audience, by simply making a deal with FOX for $1.
aside from the happy-go-cancel attitude with Fox (which is worrying), i think it may be a better fit for Conan. But i think he'll draw in pretty good ratings he's got a very vocal & devoted fanbase who will follow him to FOX.
I think Comedy Central is his best bet. He'd be treated there with respect, and the worldwide popularity of Jon Stewart and Colbert shows it's not some obscure niche cable channel.
maybe he can go to ABC and replace that loser Jimmy Kimmel, wouldnt that be poetic.
Also how would that work with Fox. All times i am about to say are central. I know that my local fox shows there news at 9 so they get a leg up on the rest of the stations news at 10. So any late shoe on that station would state at 10 or Have to wait til 10 30 and find somthing else to show at 10. On the other hand if they did start right after the news at 10 this would mean Conan would get a hour hour jump on the other shows which i think would be a great help in ratings.
I find it funny that FOX was jumping to get Conan in 2004 but now they are acting like they aren't sure.
Looks like to me like they are playing hard to get but actually have every intention of getting him for Fall.
Coco won't be profitable for FOX cause he can not compete with Jay.
I agree cable is a better fit for him, less viewers.
Sorry to be so superficial but I can't help it.
WHAT IS WITH YOUR HAIR,Conan?
That silly pompadour look is way out.
I am surprised you ever got any audience looking like that.
I know I did not recognize you until you quit.
Well...good luck.
Do something about that hair, will you?