Big 3 (or 4 in this case) show going to cable v. cable show going to free tv?

[Operation_Ripper]

Has a show ever gone from free tv to pay tv? Could Arrested Development be picked up by HBO?

[asterion]

Well, many shows have been picked up in syndication by cable networks. As for production of new episodes, I can’t think of any. Of course, there was the result of Cartoon Central picking up Family Guy and showing it on Adult Swim, so it might be possible.

[N9IWP]

Not what you are asking but Babylon 5 went from being sydicated to being picked up by cable.

Brian

[Dewey_Finn]

@Operation Ripper

Could Arrested Development be picked up by HBO?

This is unlikely. Here’s a quote from a recent television column in the San Francisco Chronicle:

Q: Why is it that you almost never see good shows that fail to find an audience get a second chance at life on another network? The reason I ask is because if “Arrested Development” can’t survive on Fox, what would keep a network desperate for quality comedies – like, oh say, NBC – from picking up a quality show?

Jeff Williams
Chicago

A: Pride, Jeff. Relatively few series ever cross networks. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” went from the WB to UPN. Nobody wants to be seen as so desperate they pick up a competitor’s failed series. (The “Buffy” switch, in fact, was based on money, not quality.) As I said previously, “Arrested Development” costs too much per episode to be picked up by sister cable channel FX. And though “AD” fans would drool at the chance to see it on HBO, a certain someone there once told me, “We don’t take anyone’s sloppy seconds.”

[middleman]

I’ve seen the producers of AD say that the show was too expensive for HBO. I would not be surprised if it couldn’t make it on syndication.

Of course, I never thought that a cartoon could get cancelled and come back, to GREAT success a few years later.

[Operation_Ripper]

@Dewey Finn

This is unlikely. Here’s a quote from a recent television column in the San Francisco Chronicle:

Thanks Dewey Finn, right on point. Depressing, but right on point.

[Dewey_Finn]

More discussion in today’s San Francisco Chronicle. First, the show isn’t cancelled, yet. The network simply chose not to purchase the nine episodes beyond the thirteen to which they’re committed. They may pick it up next year. (Don’t hold your breath, though.) And then there’s this:

Q: What are the chances someone else will pick up the series and save it?

A: Not good. “Arrested Development” would be a lovely addition to HBO, but the pay cable channel has said it will take no one’s “sloppy seconds.” Given the poor ratings and expensive per-episode price tag, no network or basic cable channel is likely to make a play for it. However, there is an intriguing rumor of a suitor: Showtime.

He goes on, but you can read it for yourself. (The SFGate website is nice in that it doesn’t require registration and the archives are free.)