Networks gropeable over losing Kath & Kim

Nine and the ABC are reported to be fuming over the sale of Kath & Kim to the Seven Network.

Nine, Ten and the ABC were all said to be chasing the series.

There are criticisms of the way Executive Producer Rick McKenna advised Nine and the ABC that Riley Turner Productions had finalised the sale, reportedly leaving it till the last minute to advise them. Nine will be particularly sore, given it had lured McKenna to an executive role in 2004.

Sydney Confidential goes as far as to imply McKenna was “unprofessional and inconsiderate” although it quotes a source as saying he met contractual obligations.

But Crikey hints at a further fallout from within the ABC, asking questions about what copyright ownership the ABC had. How did the board protect its position and ownership of the hit series? What were the revenue splits on merchandise?

Essentially someone at the ABC may have to answer for losing the famous Foxymorons.