Paramount seeks record fee for Trek shows - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

stripe · 30th October 2000, 07:50 AM

A mere $364m for Next Gen and its two spin-offs
Source: Variety
Date: 10/27/00

Proving that it`s still got plenty of plasma in its photon torpedoes, Paramount Television announced a record-high license fee for the three Star Trek spin-off series. For a mere $364 million, a potential buyer can secure the rights to The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager.

Although Paramount would not comment on who might pay such a high fee, Variety quotes cable sources who say that TNN and the Sci Fi Channel are both eager to snatch up the rights to the Star Trek franchise. TNT, Fox Family, FX, and the Odyssey Channel have also expressed an interest in the three Trek shows, but it`s unlikely that they`d be willing to pay Paramount`s asking price.

Here`s how the math of the package deal breaks down: Next Generation would be priced at $1 million per each of the 179 episodes; the 124 episodes of DS9 would go for $700,000 each; and Voyager, which is in its final season, would have a license fee of $700,000 per each of its approximately 142 episodes.

Next Generation would be available for cable syndication on Jan. 1, 2002; DS9 would be available in April 2004; and Voyager would be available during the third quarter of 2006.

padders · 30th October 2000, 11:32 AM

do they mean you pay those prices and then get to distribute by the dates at the bottom or is that when everyone can get them?

If they have to pay that much, seems waiting until 2006 is going to be a bit long!

Wouldn't it be cheaper to make their own series. I am sure farscape costs a hell of a lot less than $700,000 per episode!

30th October 2000, 07:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
stripe Sovs Favorite Moderator Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Australia, New South Wales Posts: 1,533	A mere $364m for Next Gen and its two spin-offs Source: Variety Date: 10/27/00 Proving that it`s still got plenty of plasma in its photon torpedoes, Paramount Television announced a record-high license fee for the three Star Trek spin-off series. For a mere $364 million, a potential buyer can secure the rights to The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager. Although Paramount would not comment on who might pay such a high fee, Variety quotes cable sources who say that TNN and the Sci Fi Channel are both eager to snatch up the rights to the Star Trek franchise. TNT, Fox Family, FX, and the Odyssey Channel have also expressed an interest in the three Trek shows, but it`s unlikely that they`d be willing to pay Paramount`s asking price. Here`s how the math of the package deal breaks down: Next Generation would be priced at $1 million per each of the 179 episodes; the 124 episodes of DS9 would go for $700,000 each; and Voyager, which is in its final season, would have a license fee of $700,000 per each of its approximately 142 episodes. Next Generation would be available for cable syndication on Jan. 1, 2002; DS9 would be available in April 2004; and Voyager would be available during the third quarter of 2006.

30th October 2000, 11:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
padders System Lord of ASciFi.com Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,810	do they mean you pay those prices and then get to distribute by the dates at the bottom or is that when everyone can get them? If they have to pay that much, seems waiting until 2006 is going to be a bit long! Wouldn't it be cheaper to make their own series. I am sure farscape costs a hell of a lot less than $700,000 per episode!