DirecTV's 101 Network has often been the saving grace for canceled television shows. Three years ago it entered in a co-production deal with NBC for Friday Night Lights, allowing the show to continue on for another three seasons on both networks when it was in danger of cancelation. Recently, we reported that it has decided to produce and air the fourth season of the recently canceled Damages. And if you were a Passions fan like me, then you'll recall that DirecTV produced and aired another year of the soap after it was dropped by NBC.
But don't expect DirecTV to be the saving grace for shows any longer. DirecTV's VP of Production, Chris Long, spoke to Variety to tell them that they're going to start changing the focus of their 101 Network:
[DirecTV] will give "Damages" a big marketing campaign in 2011 -- but that will likely be the last resurrection by DirecTV of a canceled American series.
"In the future, I think we're going to move away from that model," Long said.
Long and DirecTV are far more interested now in jumping into the pool of pilots that don't get picked up by other networks:
"There's probably 75-80 pilots out there a year that get squashed or shelved or never make it to network television or HBO, AMC or anyone else," Long said. "What I like to do is go look for a diamond in the rough, maybe content that wasn't applicable for network television, maybe the financing couldn't work."
This shift in direction doesn't reflect dissatisfaction on DirecTV's part with its "Friday Night Lights" or "Damages" deals. Long said "Lights" has "done unbelievably" for DirecTV and that he's excited about the future episodes of "Damages," which unlike "Lights" will be exclusive to the 101, rather than getting second airings on its original network.
But Long said DirecTV is interested in changing the business model for producing original series, away from a setup in which the broadcaster would pay 70% of production while the studio pays 30% (with the studio recouping its money by selling international rights).
"We'll come in for a percentage; let's bring in an outside distribution arm that can do it for overseas, and then bring someone else in for product integration," Long said.
Long emphasized that DirecTV remains interested in acquiring series from other countries, such as BBC programs or Canadian comedy "Trailer Park Boys," as well as airing episodes of programs from other outlets like HBO or Showtime that promote subscriptions to the premium channels.
That might be bad news for shows that are currently on the bubble, but this could also be good news. Cable shows have the opportunity to push boundaries like network shows can't and also survive longer with lower ratings. If DirecTV can become a serious competitor with cable channels like HBO, Showtime and AMC, it could mean more amazing programs arriving on our screens.
clarissa @ tvovermind.com
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Dammit. Was really holding out for Rubicon.