ABC Family, looking to expand their current film library, has acquired the television rights to Tim Burton’s recent fairytale adaptation, Alice In Wonderland. This deal marks the second time ABC Family has stepped up to purchase the broadcast rights to a major theatrical film, the first being the Harry Potter franchise.
Having Disney as both the company behind Alice In Wonderland and the parent company of ABC Family probably helped things along. Although, it doesn’t look like the network was cut any special deal, as the estimated cost to obtain the rights is around $24 million. Considering the film opened to $116 million, this acquisition seems like a no-brainer for the network, but Alice In Wonderland isn’t the only theatrical blockbuster ABC Family recently picked up.
Proving that they’re as much of a contender as any other cable network, ABC Family has also picked up the TV rights to the Academy Award-nominated film, The Blind Side, for which Sandra Bullock won her first Oscar.
Even though both films now have a television network to call home, you won’t be seeing them anytime soon as they’re not expected to premiere until 2012. Waiting two years until their debut will give ABC Family enough time to see where this whole 3D craze is going and whether or not to broadcast Alice In Wonderland in 2D or 3D.
Considering our review of Alice In Wonderland, they probably should stick to 2D.
What do you think of ABC Family picking up Alice in Wonderland and The Blind Side? Would you rather see the former broadcast in 2D or 3D? How many of those Harry Potter marathons have you sat through (be honest)?
Catch both Alice in Wonderland and The Blind Side on ABC Family in 2012.
