USA Network purchased the rights to air not only the newest Indiana Jones flick (INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL), but will air the three prequels before the film's theatrical release in May.
VARIETY reports the deal could cost the network $40 million, depending on CRYSTAL SKULL's (Paramount and Lucasfilm) domestic theatrical revenues.
The three previous Indiana Jones movies, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981), THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (1984) and THE LAST CRUSADE (1989) will be shown as a marathon to promote CRYSTAL SKULL.
USA has already bought the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN franchise, both NATIONAL TREASURE films, OCEAN'S THIRTEEN and THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM.
Main rivals in the deal, TNT and FX, were likely outbid because of the exposure of sister networks the Sci Fi Channel and Bravo all four movies could play on all networks, depending on the details of the deal.
CRYSTAL SKULL will air on USA starting in 2011, but Paramount will retain the right to sell runs on broadcast networks following USA's initial runs.
USA and Paramount did not comment, VARIETY said.
