TNT Buys Syndication Rights for The Mentalist
Simon Baker, Chris O'Donnell
We see lots of The Mentalist repeats in TNT's future.
The cable channel has landed exclusive off-network syndication rights for the CBS drama. According to the deal between TNT and Warner Bros. TV, the repeats will be launched in 2012.
Details of the deal were not disclosed, but the show went for $2.2 million-$2.3 million per episode, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Mentalist, which stars Simon Baker as a hyper-observant consultant who uses his skills to help the fictional California Bureau of Investigation solve murder cases, was the top-rated new show of the 2008-09 television season.
This season's biggest newcomer, NCIS: Los Angeles, also sold at a nifty price to USA Network after only seven weeks on the air. USA, which already airs repeats of NCIS, is said to have paid a similar amount per episode as the TNT deal. USA can begin airing episodes weekly in September 2011.
