"Futurama" officially back on Comedy Central

from the hollywood reporter

New drama for 'Futurama'
Comedy gets series, new episodes
By Andrew Wallenstein

"Futurama" has a future.

Comedy Central has resurrected the former Fox animated series from
"The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening and David X. Cohen. At least 13
new episodes will be produced for the first time since the series
originally ran from 1999-2003.

altec3220...

Any idea why this is going to Comedy Central and not Cartoon Network?

elf...

Because Comedy Central picked up the rights to Futurama starting some time
in 2007.

altec3220...

Well, that explains it. Thank you kindly.

Default User...

They had outbid CN for the old episodes, and that deal apparently
included any new ones as well. I don't know if CN would have bid more
had they known the new ones would be coming along. New episodes have
been rumored on again off again for some time.

As far as I can tell, the direct to DVD movies are still a possibility
as well, but that may change with the TV deal.

seerialmom...

The subtle raciness and it's comedy more than a cartoon? :)

Mark Nobles...

Which makes it a perfect fit for Adult Swim.

Default User...

Quite possibly, but no less a good fit for CC. In general, their stuff
is edgier than AS. Moot point anyway, as CC had the option and they
exercised it. Nothing AS can do about it at this point.

The new batch is part of a deal the cable network made with 20th
Century Fox Television last year to pick up syndicated rights to the
"Futurama" library, which consists of 72 episodes. Comedy Central also
had an option to air any new episodes produced.

New and old episodes will begin airing in 2008 on Comedy Central.
Actors Billy West, Katey Sagal and John DiMaggio have agreed to return
as voices for "Futurama."

"We are thrilled that Matt Groening and 20th Century Fox Television
have decided to produce new episodes of 'Futurama' and that Comedy
Central will be the first to air them," said David Bernath, senior vp
programming at the network. "There is a deep and passionate fan base
for this intelligent and very funny show that matches perfectly with
our audience, and it is great that we can offer them not just the
existing library but something they've never seen as well."

"Futurama" isn't the first series to return to air after cancellation.
The Fox animated series "Family Guy" returned to the network last year
after getting a second wind on DVD and late-night cable.