TruTV Picks Up ‘Billy On The Street’ As Part Of Turner Deal With Billy Eichner

Turner Broadcasting System is getting in business with Billy Eichner in a major way. The company’s TruTV, which has taken a turn towards comedic programming as part of a programming overhaul, has picked up Funny Or Die’s Billy On The Street With Billy Eichner. The network has ordered a 10-episode fourth season of the series, which will become a TruTV original. Sister net TBS will run encores of each episode after their initial airing on truTV.

Additionally, Turner Broadcasting has acquired the rights to all episodes from the first three seasons of Billy On The Street, which originally aired on the Fuse Network. The deal also includes pilot commitments for Eichner at truTV and Adult Swim as well as half-hour specials featuring Eichner for TBS and truTV.

“Billy is a singular talent who exemplifies the qualities we are looking for in truTV’s new programming, including a unique voice and vision,,” said Chris Linn, president, head of programming for truTV.

Billy On The Street, which was showcased at the Primetime Emmy Awards via a taped skit featuring Eichner and Emmy host Seth Meyers, is executive-produced by Mike Farah, president of production for Funny Or Die, along with Billy Eichner and Anna Wenger. Doug Brady is co-executive producer. Production on Season 4 is expected to begin in New York City in late spring for premiere later this year. TruTV SVP of development and original programming Marissa Ronca was behind the effort to bring Eichner to Turner.

In addition to the Turner deal, Eichner is set to star opposite Billy On The Street head writer Julie Klausner in Difficult People, a straight-to-series comedy for Hulu, written/exec produced by Klausner and exec produced by Amy Poehler. It’s unclear whether Klausner will be involved in the new season of Billy On the Street.