In possible $100M+ deal, MacFarlane, FOX TV come to terms (THR, VAR)

By Nancy Tartaglione-Vialatte

After 2 1/2 years of negotiations, "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane has inked a mega overall deal with 20th Century Fox TV that would make him the highest-paid TV writer-producer. Today�s trades report that the deal could be worth more than $100 million.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but should MacFarlane's properties, which also include "American Dad" and upcoming "Family Guy" spin-off "The Cleveland Show," hit all their financial goals, the value of the pact could ultimately enter the nine-figure range, notes Variety.

Further, the deal is said to encompass new-media projects related to MacFarlane's TV series as well as DVD and merchandising revenue from them. Additionally, the deal is said to include advances towards MacFarlane's back end, says The Hollywood Reporter.

As for the recent suit MacFalane and 15 other "Family Guy" writers filed against 20th Century Fox TV, that had no relation to the contract negotiation.

"I get a lot of pleasure out of making shows," MacFarlane told THR. "It's a bonus to be getting paid well for it, and it's a double bonus to be getting paid exorbitantly for it."

MacFarlane's deal is expected to eclipse the $60 million pact J.J. Abrams signed with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. TV in 2006.

"It's a relief to have it done," 20th TV chairman Gary Newman told THR.

20th Century Fox TV chairman Dana Walden told Variety that things indeed got hairy as negotiations dragged on.

"It would not be honest to suggest there weren't days filled with mild anxiety that we would never come to a mutual understanding," Walden told Variety. I don't think either party was inclined to look very seriously at the option of moving on."

Added Walden in comments to THR, "Today marks the first time in a long time (20th TV top business affairs execs) Howard Kurtzman and Neal Baseman did not have their shoulders up to their ears with anxiety."