LOS ANGELES – The future of long-running animated television comedy The Simpsonsappeared to be in doubt yesterday after 20th Century Fox Television said it could no longer afford to produce the show under its current business model.
Fox Television, a unit of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, issued its statement after a report that the cast of the subversive comedy had refused a proposed 45 per cent pay cut.
"We believe this brilliant series can and should continue, but we cannot produce future seasons under its current financial model," Fox said. "We are hopeful that we can reach an agreement with the voice cast that allows The Simpsonsto go on entertaining audiences with original episodes for many years to come, the statement added.
The Simpsons, the longest-running comedy series on US television, generates billions of dollars through global syndication, DVD and merchandise sales.
News website The Daily Beast reported that the six principal cast members including the voices for Homer (Dan Castellaneta), Marge (Julie Kavner), Bart (Nancy Cartwright) and Lisa (Yeardley Smith), were having difficulty negotiating contracts that see them earning about $8 million each per season.
The website also said the cast had tried unsuccessfully to negotiate a 30 per cent pay cut in return for a portion of the show's profits. The Simpsonsis broadcast in more than 100 countries. – (Reuters)