'Futurama' Returns: 26 New Episodes to Air in 2010

by stevesmys | June 9, 2009 at 03:48 pm

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Futurama will return with 26 new episodes, set to air in mid-2010 on Comedy Central.

The show was originally canceled in 2003 after a four-season run. 20th Century Fox followed those with four DVD episodes, which Comedy Central acquired the rights to, along with the 72 original episodes, in January 2008.

Since then, the two networks have been seeking new ways to create new episodes that would make economic sense for both parties.

As part of the deal, 20th still has an option to license the new episodes' original runs to a broadcast network (such as Fox). If the show does go to broadcast, Comedy Central's license fee will be reduced.

"It's a deal we're all happy with," said Comedy Central programming senior VP David Bernath. "It's a bigger win for us promotionally if we wind up going first... but if we wind up in second position, then the economics work out for us as well."

Comedy Central's "Futurama" rights run well into the next decade, which is why the net was so invested in the production of new episodes, Bernath said.

Original voice actors Billy West (voice of Phillip Fry), Katey Sagal (Leela) and John DiMaggio (Bender) have all signed on to return.