Why The Future of Jericho Could Be On The Paramount Movie Network

Many things have been changing at CBS and Paramount, with a major bit of news being that ViacomCBS is planning to move out of series television and instead shift its focus to TV movies that may or may not feature big-name stars. It was announced that the network will be rebranded as The Paramount Movie Network. The rebrand will take place globally within this year.

The Details

The current plan is to produce 52 original movies per year on the Paramount Movie Network, or one movie per week. Each of these films will have a budget in the low-to-mid-seven-figure range. The Paramount Movie Network has also said they plan on creating a mini-series once a quarter with the potential to spin those characters off into their own films. In effect, the Paramount Movie Network is creating its own mini shared universes set around various characters.

Chris McCarthy the president of entertainment and youth brands for ViacomCBS domestic media networks had this to say

“We’re doubling down on scripted but diversifying with made for TV movies, mini-series and blockbuster series with movie stars like ‘Yellowstone’ Made-for-TV movies provide all the creative upside and ability to work with great talent, without the full-time commitment of a series or feature. Plus, we’re maximizing our investment because we can build a valuable library to use across our streaming, cable, and global footprints.”

What This Could Mean For Jericho

Now you may be asking “What does this news have to do with Jericho Byron?” well let’s get into that a bit, streamers like Netflix and Hulu changed the world and the rules of the game when it came to television, and it’s looking like The Paramount Movie Network could be once again shifting the world into another direction. TV shows can be expensive and they must commit to a full season, if the show disappoints the network risks alienating viewers by canceling. Moving into a “TV movie” direction allows Paramount to experiment with “Risky” television prospects while putting out little financially.

Producing 52 TV movies a year plus miniseries is a tall order and means that The Paramount Movie Network will need LOTS of content, its pretty much a foregone conclusion that they will be mining the depths of Paramount, CBS, and others for franchises and story ideas (there has already been chatter that we could see Star Trek TV movies).

Now Jericho has been a popular series that was already resurrected once and then again as a bestselling comic series. Even now Jericho is listed as a “Top show to bring back” on various websites, still commands web traffic and is highly watched on CBS All Access, not to mention that Netflix wanted to pick the show up a few years back.

Now Jericho‘s chances of returning are better than ever with the new development of The Paramount Movie Network. As prior Jericho would have required an investment of at least one season and $15-25 million dollars for its budget, now with the new TV movie strategy The Paramount Movie Network could invest less than $10 million in a TV movie revival of Jericho.

Why Should The Paramount Movie Network Create A Jericho Film?

The Paramount Movie Network needs publicity, and Jericho being picked up for a TV film would bring with it lots of free news reporting in the trades, news websites, and social media. Having worked in corporate marketing, and done marketing for films I can tell you that free reporting on social media, websites, and the trades can be worth millions in advertising. All of which would help bring eyeballs to The Paramount Movie Network.

Its low risk and high reward, producing a Jericho revival film would not cost that much but would carry with it the name recognition of a known franchise. Creating new IP’s can be risking in that you don’t know if the public will embrace them or not, Jericho is not a new IP and any new film or films can be spun off into graphic novels and other media that has been proven to be lucrative.

Lastly, The Paramount Movie Network has mentioned wanting to have “Stars” lead the upcoming TV films, and Jericho is filled with recognizable names, namely Skeet Ulrich, who is just coming off an acclaimed run in the hit show Riverdale. Lennie James who has risen to superstardom in The Walking Dead Franchise, and lastly Gerald McRaney a veteran actor from the classic show Simon and Simon and who is coming off an Emmy award-winning run on This is Us.

The Conclusion

Overall Jericho is a high reward and low risk sure-fire hit for The Paramount Movie Network, it’s a venerable brand that would bring a pre-built franchise to The Paramount Movie Network and some publicity to help it grow. Not only that but Jericho despite its post-apocalyptic setting is a show built on community and hope! Its very idea is that even in bad times we can count on each other and that a brighter and better future awaits us, that is a message that I think everyone not only would embrace but needs.

CHECK OUT: Why We Fight: Jericho A 10-year History