FOX renews The Simpsons for 2 more seasons

The deal is done. FOX renewed "The Simpsons" for two more seasons. Both sides made concessions and agreed for a 40% saklary reduction. According to Deadline the license fee for the long running sitcom was also reduced. Here is the official press release:

FOX has renewed THE SIMPSONS, the longest-running comedy in television history, for an incredible 24th and 25th season, bringing the series total to an astonishing 559 episodes. THE SIMPSONS airs Sundays (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

In the words of Homer Simpson, “Woo Hoo! I outlasted Andy Rooney!”

The longest-running scripted show in television history, THE SIMPSONS exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. Matt Groening created the iconic family: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. In February 2012, THE SIMPSONS will celebrate its historic 500th episode. The series has won 27 Emmy Awards, been the subject of a hit feature film, created “Krustyland” and a revolutionary virtual coaster – The Simpsons Ride – at Universal Studios, received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, been honored with five U.S. postal stamps personally designed by Matt Groening, and named the “Best Show of the 20th Century” by Time Magazine.

Following the MLB American League Championship Series and World Series games on FOX, THE SIMPSONS returns with all-new episodes beginning with “Treehouse of Horrors XXII,” on Sunday, Oct. 30 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT). In the spooky opener, Homer takes a dangerous dive into an isolated canyon on Candy Peak, but when a crashing boulder traps his arm, he channels Aron Ralston (guest voicing as himself) to save himself. In “The Diving Bell and Butterball,” the first of three hair-raising Halloween tales, a venomous spider bite leaves Homer paralyzed, but when Lisa discovers Homer’s ability to communicate through natural gases, he is able to express his love for Marge. The killer spells continue in “Dial D for Diddly,” when Ned Flanders, devout preacher by day, transforms into a cold-blooded vigilante by night. In the final terrifying tale, “In the Na’Vi,” Bart and Milhouse are assigned on a mission to access a sacred extract on a distant planet. They morph into the land’s indigenous one-eyed avatars, but when Bart finds love and an eternal mate abroad, he is caught in planet warfare.

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. Film Roman, a Starz Media Company, is the animation house.

CBS Cancels How To Be A Gentleman

Its the fourth cancellation of the season. This time CBS has pulled the plug on "How To Be A Gentleman". And as many expected, "Rules Of Engagement" will take over the timeslot, on October 20. HTBAG premiered with a 2.7 rating in adults 18-49, losing a big amount of its strong lead in (The Bing Bang Theory- 4.9 rating). On Thursday night, the second episode was down to a 2.5 rating, retaining only 49% of TBBT's audience. While it'd be a hit on ABC or NBC, it was a failure for a CBS comedy. Rules Of Engagement which was supposed to premiere next Saturday is a utility player for the network and had performed strongly even opposite American Idol. HTBAG will resume its run on Saturday October 15, airing its 7 remaining episodes. (Its episode order was cut from 13 to 9 last night). While its just a burn off, CBS has already sold a Saturday comedy block to the advertisers. Expect repeats of cbs procedurals to return on the timeslot pretty soon.

Fast National Results for Thursday October 6, 2011

FOX won the night (11.20/3.8) with X Factor.

CBS 2nd (11.69/2.9) with The Bing Bang Theory (13.63/4.4) How To Become A Gentleman (7.82/2.5) Person Of Interest (11.46/2.5) & The Mentalist (12.89/2.7).

ABC 3rd (6.88/2.1) with Charlie's Angels (5.93/1.2) Grey's Anatomy (8.50/3.0) & Private Practice (6.21/2.1).

NBC 4th (4.66/2.0) with Community (3.37/1.5) Parks & Recreation (4.13/1.9) The Office (5.71/3.1) Whitney (4.88/2.3) & Prime Suspect (4.93/1.5).

The CW 5th (2.26/1.0) with The Vampire Diaries (2.55/1.2) & The Secret Circle (1.96/0.8).

FYI: (total viewers/Adults 18-49 demo)

American Horror Story starts strong

American Horror Story was off to a decent start on Wednesday night with 3.18 million viewers watching the episode. The premiere also scored a 1.6 in the adults 18-49 demo. The 11pm encore was watched by 1.4 million viewers and deliverd a 0.7 rating in adults 18-49.

CW & NBC Cancel 2, CBS Renews 1.

CBS gave a full season pick up, earlier this week to its new comedy hit "2 Broke Girls". After a strong launch with the much antcipated "Two And A Half Men" premiere as a lead in, the comedy has been stabilized on its 8:30/7:30c slot.
NBC at the other hand has cancelled their second new show, "Free Agents" after just 3 episodes. Repeats of "Whitney" will take over the timeslot.
After a series low The CW pulled the plug on the low rated H8R. The reality series scored a series high last week in total viewers (1.37 million) & CW's target demo (0.9 rating) but this week's episode (that didn't have Kim Kardashian) dropped to just 1.1 million viewers & a 0.4 rating in adults 18-49 & women 18-34. Repeats of Ringer will replace it.

Fast National Results for Wednesday October 5, 2011

FOX won the night (10.20/3.5) with X Factor (11.53/3.9) & Raising Hope (6.19/2.3).

CBS 2nd (11.90/3.3) with Survivor (10.54/3.1) Criminal Minds (13.34/3.8) & CSI (11.81/2.9).

ABC 3rd (8.91/3.2) with The Middle (9.01/2.7) Suburgatory (9.05/3.0) Modern Family (13.08/5.6) Happy Endings (6.92/2.9) & Revenge (7.69/2.5).

NBC 4th (6.86/1.6) with Up All Night (5.65/2.2) Free Agents (3.28/1.0) Harry's Law (8.22/1.2) & Law & Order:SVU (7.88/2.1).

The CW 5th (1.41/0.6) with H8R (1.15/0.4) & America's Next Top Model (1.68/0.8).

FYI: (total viewers/Adults 18-49 demo)

Fast National Results for Tuesday October 4, 2011

FOX won the night (7.93/3.6) with Glee (8.30/3.5) New Girl (8.62/4.3) & Raising Hope (6.51/2.9).

CBS 2nd (14.95/3.3) with NCIS (18.86/4.1) NCIS:LA (14.65/3.4) & Unforgettable (11.35/2.4).

ABC 3rd (11.39/2.2) with Dancing With The Stars Encore (9.11/1.7) & Results Show (14.83/2.8) & Body Of Proof (10.22/2.1).

NBC 4th (5.40/2.0) with The Biggest Loser (5.60/2.0) & Parenthood (5.00/2.0).

The CW 5th (1.40/0.6) with 90210 (1.32/0.6) & Ringer (1.49/0.6).

FYI: (total viewers/Adults 18-49 demo)