• by Wayne Friedman , May 10, 2012

In yet another way of building TV program marketing for a cable network from a broadcast network, TBS has taken over “Cougar Town” from ABC.

The show has run on three seasons on ABC; TBS is commissioning a fourth season to begin airing in early 2013. TBS also gets the repeat rights to 61 episodes.

“Cougar” has lost almost half its key 18-49 viewers versus a year ago, sinking this season to a Nielsen live plus same day 1.5 rating among 18-49ers, 1.958 million 18-49 viewers. This compares to a 2.7 rating and 3.513 million 18-49 viewers a year ago. “Cougar Town” is produced by ABC Studios.

A couple of seasons back sister network TNT took over the original episodes of “Southland” from NBC. That show is produced by Warner Bros., which also owns TNT and TBS. Recently TNT ordered a fifth season of the show.

No financial deal points were disclose concerning the program deal for "Cougar Town".