‘Elementary’: Jonny Lee Miller drama fetching big syndication money for CBS

Even though syndication may still be reasonably far away for “Elementary” on CBS, we are hearing that the network is very intent on pushing the Sherlock Holmes drama into that arena.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the complicated new deal for “Elementary,” which includes syndication via Hulu Plus, cable (WGN America), and also an unnamed broadcast network, is going to give them roughly $3 million in the bank per episode. That is one of the biggest deals ever for a network TV drama, and also proves that networks and studios are being more and more intelligent when it comes to how to distribute their content in an age where many are not exactly looking to familiar methods. The most interesting part of this is that “Elementary” is earning these sort of hefty fees despite not even being a series with a huge ratings in the 18-49 demographic.

While none of this is a guarantee that the show will be spared from cancellation soon, it’s a step in the right direction. The fact that CBS produces the show internally through their own studio is also a little bit of a win, one that could give it an advantage compared to some of their other series done by Warner Bros. TV and others.

What do you think about this sort of deal, and do you think that the rise of more internet streaming, coupled with networks getting more and more intelligent, is going to lead to even more of this? Share some of your thoughts below, and visit the link here to see even more “Elementary” scoop. Also, sign up now for our CarterMatt Newsletter to catch more news and updates from our site.

Photo: CBS