CBS & NBC - Love/Hate Relationship

Last month, CBS was pissed with NBC for canceling the TV show Medium (an NBC-produced show that is broadcast on CBS). For one thing, NBC wanted to produce fewer episodes than what CBS wanted and so NBC simply canceled the show altogether.

CBS was so outraged that it issued this unusually candid press release:
"NBC's cancellation of 'Medium' is inexplicable to us."

Then it got ugly: "The ratings don't lie. 'Medium' outperforms many of NBC's renewed shows. Despite inconsistent scheduling, 'Medium,' under the creative vision of Glenn Gordon Caron, one of the most preeminent producers in television, has always performed with distinction both creatively and commercially. Multiple-award-winning actress Patricia Arquette and the cast have delivered a stellar series for five consistent seasons. The awards and ratings speak for themselves. We believe the show has a significant future and await developments."

While, Medium created a rift between the two studios, NCIS is bringing them together to collaborate on the launch of a new NCIS - NCIS: Los Angeles.

USA Network (owned by NBC) struck a deal with CBS (who produces the show) to air two NCIS episodes from this past season that lead to the new spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles. It should be noted that episodes from a recent season's run of NCIS normally wouldn't be available on cable so quickly - but CBS saw an opportunity to market the spin-off early and NBC was happy to contribute.

Of course, the fact that NCIS is currently the top-rated off-net series on cable helps explain why the two big conglomerates are willing to work with each other...even if they don't necessarily like each other.