Hulu is still in talks with Sony Pictures Television to resurrect former NBC comedy “Community.”
An individual close to the production told TheWrap that reports the streaming TV service had dropped out of talks to pick up a new season of “Community” are false.
They also have at least one other entity interested in a sixth season of the comedy about a tight-knit group of adults at a community college, the insider said.
Also read: ‘Community’ Producers in Early Talks With Hulu for Additional Season
According to TVLine’s sources, though, Hulu has abandoned talks to pick up the comedy. Representatives from Sony and Hulu declined to comment.
The pressure is on as Sony tries to close a deal to continue the comedy with just days left on the cast’s contracts, which expire on June 30.
Hulu already has the digital rights to repeats on the show’s first five seasons. “Community” is also the type of series that does well on streaming sites due to its niche comedy and very strong online fan community — which doesn’t always translate to live viewership metrics still used heavily by networks to measure a show’s success.
Also read: ‘Girls’ Books ‘Community’ Alum Gillian Jacobs for Season 4
NBC canceled “Community” in March. Never really a ratings hit, the network aired five seasons of the show because it could trust that a certain amount of people — at least four million or so — would tune in loyally each week, and it was a critical darling.
The show did have its ups and downs. Creator and showrunner Dan Harmon was fired ahead of Season 4 amid complications with Chevy Chase and tales of bad time management, but he returned for the show’s fifth season. And it would end up losing original castmembers Chevy Chase and Donald Glover during Season 5.
Remaining castmembers include Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs (who has signed on for a recurring role on HBO’s “Girls”), Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Ken Jeong and Jim Rash.
Also read: Dan Harmon Responds to ‘Anxious Fans’ of Canceled ‘Community’
“Community’s” fifth-season finale on April 17 drew 2.87 million viewers and a 1.0 rating/4 share with the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic.