Seth MacFarlane Leaving Fox For NBCUniversal in $200 Million Deal

Seth MacFarlane’s run with 20th Century Fox TV has come to an end, as the Family Guy creator is going to NBCUniversal for a $200 million pact. THR reports that MacFarlane has signed a new pact with NBCUniversal Content Studios, who outbid Fox TV in what is being reported as a five year deal for that amount. Disney was also originally in the mix, but backed off after hearing that MacFarlane’s initial annual figure was $40 million and that he apparently didn’t want to do another animated series.

MacFarlane has been with Fox TV for over two decades, where he created shows like Family Guy, American Dad, and The Orville. The new deal will see MacFarlane and his Fuzzy Door production shingle develop and produce TV projects for NBCU’s networks and platforms including their upcoming Peacock streaming service. He will also continue working on the shows he currently has at Fox.

“I am extremely honored to be partnering with Dawn Olmstead and the entire UCP team,” MacFarlane said in a statement to THR. “My relationship with Universal pre-dates this new chapter, and if my experience producing television with UCP is anything like the experience I’ve had producing films with the company, it will be an exciting and creatively fulfilling one for me and for Fuzzy Door. I’m especially inspired by all of the opportunities that NBCUniversal Content Studios has to offer with George [Cheeks] and Bonnie [Hammer] at the helm. I will remain indebted to my good friend Dana Walden and the team at 20th for their collaborative partnership over the years, and I look forward to our continued work together on Family Guy, American Dad and The Orville.”