'Simpsons' saved after pay row

LOS ANGELES: Fox Television has approved two more seasons of "The Simpsons," the broadcaster said Friday, ending a standoff after a pay row threatened to sink the long-running show.

Fox, a unit of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. had threatened to axe the hit cartoon show after 23 seasons if no deal was reached with the actors who voice Homer, Bart et al.

The voice behind the greedy Mr. Burns had even offered to take a 70 percent cut in pay to keep "The Simpsons" on the air, only for Fox Television to reject his proposal.

But late Friday Fox said on Twitter that it had renewed show -- the longest-running animated television series in history -- for a 24th and 25th season.

"In the words of Homer Simpson, 'Woo Hoo! I outlasted Andy Rooney!'" it added, referring to the curmudgeonly US broadcaster, who appeared for the last time on "60 Minutes" last weekend, his closing essay for the CBS show.

It gave no details about how the pay dispute had been resolved.

Fox threatened Tuesday to pull the plug on "The Simpsons" over the dispute, saying that as "brilliant" as the show may be, the network could not keep producing it under "its current financial model."

The Daily Beast news website has reported that Fox wanted the voices behind Bart, Homer, Marge, Lisa, Krusty the Clown and other "Simpsons" characters to agree to a 45 percent salary cut.

But the cast members -- including Dan Castellaneta, who voices Homer, and Nancy Cartwright, alias Bart -- had proposed a 30 percent cut so long as they get a slice of syndication and merchandising income.

Harry Shearer, who voices Mr. Burns, issued a statement earlier Friday saying he had offered to have his pay cut by over 70 percent, in return for a share of the show's profits.

But he added that in a meeting Thursday, Fox told his representatives that there were "simply no circumstances" under which it would let voice cast members "share in the show's success."

The six principal voice cast members on "The Simpsons" now earn about $8 million a year each for about 22 weeks of work, according to The Daily Beast.

Wall Street analysts suggest "The Simpsons" might be worth more dead than alive, because News Corp. could sell past episodes to cable and online channels, and not just to local television stations as is now the case. (AFP)

'The Simpsons' is in danger in 23rd year

NEW YORK: In its 23rd year on TV, "The Simpsons" could be on the endangered species list.

The show's producer said Tuesday the show can't continue under its current financial model, following a report that big pay cuts are being sought for the actors who provide voices for Homer, Marge and Bart Simpson and other characters.

"We believe this brilliant series can and should continue, but we cannot produce future seasons under its current financial model," said Chris Alexander, spokesman for 20th Century Fox Television. He said producers hope a deal can be reached.

The animated series is a fixture on Fox's Sunday night schedule, and critics consider it one of the best shows in the medium. But like many programs that have been on the air for a long time, the cost of making it has become prohibitive.

The Fox network reportedly loses money each year on new episodes, even as all the old episodes run in perpetuity in reruns and are a cash cow for producers and creators.

The Daily Beast reported Tuesday that producers are demanding a 45 percent pay cut from the six voice actors, who reportedly make nearly $8 million each for a season. The website said the voice actors have offered to take a 30 percent pay in return for a portion of the show's syndication and merchandise revenue.

Allan Mayer, a spokesman for one of the show's voice actors, Harry Shearer, said he had no comment on the talks. The manager for Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson, told The Associated Press she didn't know about the negotiations, and creator Matt Groening didn't immediately return a phone call.

"The Simpsons" is averaging 7.1 million viewers for its new episodes this fall, down 14 percent from last year. Back in the 1991-92 season, an average of 21.7 million people watched it every week, Nielsen said.

The median age of the show's viewers back two decades ago was 23, and this season it is still very young for a TV show - 32, Nielsen said. That's an indication of how the show has regenerated its audiences as the years go by.

"It's still a very young and male audience, which is difficult to reach on broadcast TV," said Brad Adgate, a researcher for Horizon Media. "Its longevity is due to that. They can charge a premium to reach that audience, and they do." (AP)