SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Cancels Wonder Years Reboot; Byron Allen Makes $10 Billion Offer to Buy ABC

Saturday, September 16, 2023

SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Cancels Wonder Years Reboot; Byron Allen Makes $10 Billion Offer to Buy ABC

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This would typically be a busy and exciting week where we tell you about all of the brand new fall series that debut this week, and we're so excited about that... but no. There are still two entertainment industry strikes, and we have almost nothing to offer in this respect. But, it's still a busy new week anyway, with a lot of questions about the future of ABC as well as their cable networks. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

The Wonder Years reboot on ABC got a lot of attention when it started, but after a very disappointing second season in the ratings (ABC's worst show of the year), it has been canceled. (Variety)
We've got our first look at the Frasier reboot. (Deadline)
Bill Maher has decided he is returning to the air next week despite the strike, but will other late night talk show hosts look for a loophole to return too? (Deadline)
If you have Spectrum, the second largest pay TV provider in the nation, you now no longer have cable channels such as Freeform (and never will), as the provider worked out a deal with Disney that brought back ESPN, Disney Channel, and FX, but includes the permanent removal of many other channels, leaving many to wonder if Disney is going to shut them down in the near future. (Hollywood Reporter)
Meanwhile, Nexstar has been having exploratory talks with Disney about buying ABC, and entertainment mogul Byron Allen has went a step further to make a $10 billion offer to purchase ABC and several of their cable networks (including FX and National Geographic). (Reuters)
While Byron Allen is trying to buy ABC, his syndicated late night series Comics Unleashed is coming to CBS on Tuesday, as they need strike material to replace the already ended Late Late Show with James Corden. (Hollywood Reporter)
TBS has acquired Modern Family. (SitcomsOnline)