Ten loses The Simpsons as 21st Century Fox pulls rights

Channel Ten has lost the rights to all 21st Century Fox programs as the two companies negotiate a new deal.

Mumbrella understands the company has not received a letter of termination from Fox, with the contract being terminated verbally as the future of Ten’s ownership remains unclear.

Ten has been unable to broadcast 21st Century Fox content including The Simpsons – which has run on the network for more than 25 years – Modern Family, MASH and Futurama among other shows since last Monday.

Mumbrella understands The Simpsons has not been running since September, while other shows were pulled last week.

A spokesperson for Ten confirmed the news to Mumbrella: “Fox content is not playing on Network Ten at this stage.”

Ten had not yet scheduled the new seasons of Modern Family, This Is Us and The Simpsons.

The future of Fox’s programs on the network will be open for negotiation under CBS ownership, which won creditor approval three weeks ago.

Mumbrella understands the termination could save the company millions, which will be able to spend in local content.

It comes the same week as a KPMG report assessed Ten’s equity as essentially worthless.

The Australian Financial Review revealed the report found Network Ten’s shares have no value, which will limit Lachlan Murdoch and Bruce Gordon’s ability to challenge the transfer of equity.

Zoe Samios

Zoe Samios worked at Mumbrella between 2016 and 2019, finishing up as senior media reporter in March 2019.

topics 21st Century Fox Channel Ten Futurama MASH Modern Family Ten The Simpsons

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Comments: 8

Adam Thorn 12 Oct 17

Ay caramba!

Anonymous 12 Oct 17

Murdochs have cracked it!

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Nic Halley 12 Oct 17

Good to see the Murdoch’s are handling young Lachlan’s latest foible with their usual maturity.

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Stating the obvious 12 Oct 17

Murdoch & Gordon were unsuccessful in “saving” the network when media reform finally happened. Suddenly a Murdoch owned company yanks the chain on content deals?

Happy days for the 50% of foxtel News own i guess…

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ok... 12 Oct 17

i’ll go:

D’oh!

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Golden Crumpets 12 Oct 17

Oh, won’t someone PLEASE think of the children?

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TV Dr 12 Oct 17

MCN sales representative deal will be the TEN revenge

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Hi I'm Troy McClure 13 Oct 17

You might remember me from such Fox network specials as Alien Nose Job and Five Fabulous Weeks of The Chevy Chase Show.

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