Sports Rights Squeeze Scripted TV, Cuse Warns

Carlton Cuse, a renowned TV writer-producer, has voiced concerns over the escalating costs of sports rights, predicting a negative impact on scripted television. He highlighted the NBA's recent $77 billion deal as an example, illustrating how increased spending on sports attractions diverts funds from scripted content creation. Cuse pointed out that the high viewership of sports, especially football, makes it a prime target for network investment.

Despite these challenges, Cuse expressed optimism for the enduring importance of scripted storytelling. He believes that the inherent depth and subtext within narrative shows offer unique opportunities for audiences to gain insights into themselves and the world, which sports programming cannot replicate. This distinctive cultural contribution, he suggests, ensures scripted TV's continued relevance.

Looking towards the future, Cuse sees potential in artificial intelligence and other technological advancements to reduce production costs. He argues that such tools could enable more imaginative storytelling at a lower expense, potentially revitalizing the industry. Cuse is currently involved in the Netflix adaptation of Dan Brown's "The Secret of Secrets," set to film in Prague, a city he aims to showcase authentically.

Furthermore, Cuse touched upon the evolving landscape of streaming residuals, noting they are less lucrative than traditional network models. He stressed the importance of adequate residuals for maintaining a vibrant talent pool in the industry. His comments were made during his visit to Italy for the Italian Global Series Festival, where he received an award.