'Damages' most likely dead

Even though there has been talk recently about DirecTV sharing 'Damages' with FX to save the show, it appears as though that is unlikely to happen.  Insiders say it doesn't look as though the drama is a good fit for the satellite provider.

Monday's announcement by DirecTV that HBO's critically acclaimed drama 'The Wire' is arriving in July indicates that the service is continuing its mostly male-skewing lineup. Series on the air, or having just concluded, include 'Oz,' 'Deadwood,' 'Brotherhood,' 'Friday Night Lights' and Australian drama 'Underbelly.'

Sony, of course, wants to see 'Damages' continue, but the studio would have to take a substantial license-fee reduction. With what would be the fourth year of the show, and cast and crew expecting salary increases, it would likely be difficult -- though not impossible -- to cut costs.

If an arrangement could be made to continue 'Damages,' DirecTV would want to air original episodes first, and FX might have issues with that arrangement, according to sources. FX Prods. is co-producer of the series.

For all the success FX is having with its dramas -- Tim Olyphant starrer 'Justified' is off to a solid start, and 'Sons of Anarchy' is coming off a socko second season -- 'Damages' has always been ratings-challenged.  The season three premiere in January drew only 1.4 million viewers, down 17% from season two's debut. In the 18-49 demo, numbers were even more disheartening, tumbling 41% to 428,000 from 718,000 on Jan. 7, 2009.

FX showed plenty of faith in 'Damages' in 2007 when it renewed the series for two seasons at the end of season one, but ratings-wise it hasn't paid off.

I personally love 'Damages' so i'm hoping that some sort of deal gets worked out that allows the show to continue.