USA Network Tuesday added to its lineup of off-broadcast network drama shows series with the acquisition of distribution rights to long-running CBS series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Under the agreement, USA will have the exclusive off-network rights to premiere episodes from season 11 and beyond of the popular crime drama, according to network officials. The "Characters Welcome" network will also have non-exclusive rights to the first 10 seasons of the series - which has spawned two spinnoff series in CSI: Miami and CSI: New York - beginning in December 2010.
Terms of the deal were not released, but sources close to the deal say USA is paying in the neighborhood of $500,000 per episodes for the CBS TV Studios-produced show.
Currently Spike TV airs off-net episodes of CSI.
"We're proud to add one of the most successful television series of the last 20 years to our programming slate," said Jane Blaney, USA's executive vice president, program acquisitions and scheduling in a statement. "CSI fits perfectly into our already powerful collection of procedurals, including NCIS, Law & Order: SVU; HOUSE; Law & Order: CI and eventually NCIS: Los Angeles.CSI is an iconic series that reflects USA's commitment to quality storytelling and unique characters."
