House has been a mainstay on the FOX schedule for the last seven seasons, and even with waning ratings it still ranks as the second highest rated drama on the net, behind only the surging Glee. So, a renewal should be a virtual certainty right? Guess again.
The show is actually owned by rival NBC, under NBCU/Comcast Studios, and the studio is looking to keep the terms of the licensing deal intact as of the last renegotiation, which occurred following the much more highly rated fifth season. The current deal calls for FOX to pay all production costs, as well as a fee to air the program. Now, a show going into its eighth season isn't cheap, with ballooning salaries and contract renewals with the principal cast. So, for NBC to expect FOX to continue to pay all the bills while NBCU rakes in syndication profits seems a little unrealistic.
While some believe that NBCU feels that since the ratings have weakened, by not upping the licensing fee and adding extra fees they are doing FOX a favor. However, an emerging motive sees NBCU trying to dissuade FOX from picking up the long-running hit so that NBC can air the series. It's no secret that the Peacock could sorely use a hit drama, and this is certainly a quick, if not underhanded, way to accomplish that goal.
Still, the most likely outcome will see FOX bending to NBCU for the rights to continue airing the series. But, in the world of television, who knows? You could soon be seeing ads for the new NBC series House, M.D.
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