David Farnor | On 15, Jan 2020

Seth MacFarlane has inked a deal with NBC that will see the Family Guy creator leave 20th Century Fox after many years there.

The comic, singer, actor and writer will create and develop new projects for NBCU’s broadcast, cable and streaming platforms as part of a nine-figure overall deal.

The agreement is reported to last for five years and be worth $200 million, including a signing bonus and overhead costs for MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door shingle.

The first major talent deal since NBCU’s studios were aligned under Bonnie Hammer, who fronts Universal Television. Indeed, broadcasters and streaming platforms are stepping up exclusive talent deals as they seek to secure exclusive and original content to beat our rivals in the online viewing landscape. NBCUniversal is currently preparing to launch its own streaming service, Peacock, this April in the USA. As well as a new take on Battlestar Galactica and a Saved by the Bell sequel, there will be a focus on comedy, with library content including the entire Saturday Night Live library, The Office and Parks and Recreation, as well as 30 Rock and Friday Night Lights.

MacFarlane has multiple projects in the works for NBCU, but his pact also gives him a free rein for feature film work. He will also have allowances to continue working on Fox’s Family Guy, TBS’ American Dad and The Orville, as well as other projects already in development for Disney, such as Hulu movie Books of Blood.

“Seth’s voice resonates across multiple demographics and mediums. We all admire his ability to create audacious commentary with bold, yet relatable, humor and I look forward to working with him behind and in front of the camera,” Hammer, who serves as chairman of NBCUniversal Content Studios, said in a statement.

“I am extremely honored to be partnering with Dawn Olmstead and the entire UCP team,” MacFarlane added. “My relationship with Universal predates this new chapter, and if my experience producing television with UCP is anything like the experience I’ve had producing films with the company, it will be an exciting and creatively fulfilling one for me and for Fuzzy Door. I’m especially inspired by all of the opportunities that NBCUniversal Content Studios has to offer with George and Bonnie at the helm. I will remain indebted to my good friend Dana Walden and the team at 20th for their collaborative partnership over the years, and I look forward to our continued work together on Family Guy, American Dad and The Orville.”

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