It's a done deal: TNT has picked up "Southland."
Turner cabler has bought the L.A. cop drama from Warner Bros. Television after NBC decided to cancel the show last month. Agreement had been close for days but pact is now official and TNT purchased both the seven episodes leftover from last season that never ran as well as the six episodes that were shot over the past few months.
Show will air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. -- opposite one of NBC's higher-rated editions of "The Jay Leno Show" -- starting Jan. 12.
"This is a great win for fans of 'Southland' and a perfect opportunity to introduce the series to new viewers," said Turner president Steve Koonin.
Despite stellar reviews for "Southland" after the series premiered last season on NBC in the 10 p.m. Thursday slot following "ER," NBC -- in a cost-effective decision -- decided a few weeks ago that it would be difficult for the show to perform better at 9 p.m. Fridays than "Dateline" is currently faring in that slot.
"Dateline" is much cheaper to produce than "Southland" and a better return on investment for the Peacock.
"Southland" is exec produced by John Wells, Chris Chulack and Ann Biderman.
Source:
Variety