‘Anger Management Set For Syndication Launch In 2014 With Fox TV Stations Deal

NELLIE ANDREEVA
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On the heels of Charlie Sheen’s comedy Anger Management getting a back 90-episode order from FX, the series has been sold in broadcast syndication. The Fox Television Stations have picked up the sitcom for a September 2014 launch in a cash plus barter deal.

Anger Management is produced by Lionsgate Television, with its sibling Debmar-Mercury handling the syndication sales of the show. Debmar-Mercury is the company that introduced the 10-90 model (an initial 10-episode order followed by a 90-episode pickup if ratings targets are met) with Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne. That sitcom, which ran on TBS, also sold to the Fox TV Stations in broadcast syndication, mostly on the company’s duopoly stations. Anger Management will run on a mix of Fox O&Os and duopoly outlets. The stations that will carry Anger Management include WNYW FOX 5/WWOR My9 (New York), KTTV FOX 11/KCOP My13 (Los Angeles), WFLD FOX 32/WPWR My50 (Chicago), KDFW FOX 4/KDFI My27 (Dallas), WTTG FOX 5/WDCA My20 (Washington D.C.), KRIV FOX 26/KTXH My20 (Houston), KSAZ FOX 10/KUTP My45 (Phoenix), KMSP FOX 9/WFTC My29 (Minneapolis) and WOFL FOX 35/WRBW My65 (Orlando). The stations will offer double runs of Anger Management Monday-Sunday.

“Typical wisdom says off-cable shows aren’t right for general syndication, but that’s way too narrow minded for today’s reality,” said FTS SVP of programming Frank Cicha. “When a program produces these ratings, regardless of the platform, you have to take it seriously.” The series premiere episode of Anger Management on FX was the most-watched primetime scripted comedy series premiere in cable history. It completed its 10-episode original run as the highest-rated new comedy series on cable in 2012, averaging 4.53 million total viewers and 2.5 million adults 18-49.

On the Fox stations, Anger Management joins such off-network comedies as top-rated The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family. (Sheen’s previous sitcom, Two And A Half Men, runs on the Tribune stations, which in 2010 picked it up for a second cycle through 2020-21.) “A broad-based, male-driven sitcom like Anger Management will play perfectly with both Big Bang Theory and Modern Family on FOX stations in major markets,” said Debmar-Mercury Co-Presidents, Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein who will continue to roll out the show nationally.

Lionsgate TV began production on the 90-episode back order of Anger Management September 24, with Martin Sheen joining the cast in a recurring role, playing Charlie’s (Sheen) father. Bruce Helford serves as Executive Producer/Showrunner. Mark Burg, Joe Roth, Vince Totino and Dave Caplan are executive producers. In addition to first run of the show, FX will have cable syndication rights to it, beginning in fall 2014.

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