Fox Network And Universal Studios In Debate Over House Pact

May sweeps is right around the corner, but for Fox Network and Universal Media Studios, coming to an agreement on the future of House is proving to be difficult…

As a matter of fact, rumors have surfaced that the hit series will pack up and head to sister network NBC. However…rest assured fans, as that option seems more as a last resort than a solution at the moment to show creators. As House enters it’s eighth season this fall, the show is expected to stay put if at all possible.

NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt however does admit that the network could use an established hit like House, but under the current deal between Fox and Universal, that’s not an immediate possibility.

As a matter of fact, though NBC is a sister network to Fox, a clause in the current House pact prevents Universal from shopping the show to NBC altogether. ABC, CBS and TNT all have a better chance at picking up the series than the NBC Network.

Fox and Universal’s exclusive negotiating window has been extended through at least April 15, but the two businesses have yet to agree on serious matters such as how much the Fox will pay in license fees to Universal, Universal keeping their current deal [in which Fox pays for the cost of production on House plus a premium], and a possible two-year deal. Bringing down other fees as well as a lesser one-year deal are also subjects of discussion.

As if that isn’t enough to keep House fans on their toes, all these complications are also accompanied by deals for show-runner David Shore and several cast-members to renegotiate their salaries. Cast member Robert Sean Leonard is also hinting that he may not be returning to the show next season…

“We’ll get this thing done,” says one source close to the negotiation. “This isn’t the NFL. I’m not panicked at all.”

If House does unexpectedly make the switch to a different network with possibly a different time slot, would you still tune in?