Sony Pictures Television confirmed that The Queen Latifah Show is now a go for a fall 2013 launch, following the strip's pickup by the CBS stations. CBS declined to discuss what would be jettisoned from its stations to make room for the new talk show, said to be a cross between Ellen and Oprah.
CBS Stations Land ‘Queen Latifah’ For Fall
Sony Pictures Television has sold daytime talk show Queen Latifah to CBS Television Stations for fall 2013, Sony and CBS confirmed after the news broke in Deadline.com.
Neither Sony nor CBS offered any further details.
However, it’s widely expected that the show will appear on the 16 O&Os that carry CBS network programming. CBS also owns eight CW affiliates, three independents and two MNT affiliates.
But CBS would not comment on what would be scuttled in daytime to make room for Latifah. On the syndication side, the stations now air CBS Television Distribution’s Dr. Phil, Judge Judy, Rachael Ray and The Doctors. But all have been renewed through at least 2014.
Daytime network shows include two game shows (Let’s Make a Deal and The Price is Right), two soaps (The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless) and one panel talk show (The Talk). Of the network shows, The Talk may be the weakest link, but it has posted improved ratings in its third season.
Latifah is being sold on a two-year basis with license fees comparable to those charged for high-rated syndicated programs like Disney-ABC’s Live with Kelly and Michael, according to TV station executives who have met with Sony.
BRAND CONNECTIONS
Sony has been aggressively selling the show for weeks as a combination of Warner Bros.’ Ellen and the old Oprah Winfrey Show.
NBC Owned Television Stations were also reportedly interested in the show.
Comments (1)
Alvin G. Lawton says:
October 29, 2012 at 4:27 pm
They’re a year late on this. Would of given Harvey a run but he’ll have too much momentum by then. This is a single season talker.