REPORT: Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson planning to jump ship on A&E and move to a new network?

If this report is true, the patriarch of Duck Dynasty is very upset with A&E and is planning to form his own TV production company so he can take his show to another network, one that is more supportive of his Christian views:

DAILY MAIL – Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson may have emerged victorious from his recent spat with A&E, but the millionaire patriarch is already plotting revenge on the TV network behind his hit show and reportedly has a plan in the works to move his family – plus millions of dollars of advertising and merchandise revenue – to another broadcaster.

Humiliated by A&E’s recent attempt to silence his conservative religious message, Robertson – whose Duck Commander business is worth an estimated $15 million – is secretly plotting to form his own TV production company so he can jump ship to a Christian channel more in keeping with his views.

Robertson, 67, recently served a short suspension from the hit show after he made homophobic and racially insensitive comments in an interview with GQ.

But a massive outpouring of support from Conservative supporters including Sarah Palin convinced A&E to take Robertson back or risk losing their most important cash cow.

The Season 4 premiere of Duck Dynasty last August drew a record 11.8 million viewers and total revenues for 2013 are estimated at $885 million.

The public support for [Phil’s] comments have convinced the wily businessman that he and his family could be better served elsewhere on a network more understanding of his views – such as overtly religious TV networks Trinity Broadcast Corporation and Christian Television Network.

He is also reported to be unhappy at how A&E has portrayed the extremely wealthy Robertson clan as ignorant hillbillies.

‘A&E messed with the wrong redneck,’ a source close to the show told the National Enquirer. ‘Phil has agreed to return, but he’s already working on getting out their contracts.’

Back in August the Robertson clan signed a new contract with A&E for $200,000 per episode. That contract is supposed to keep the family tied to the network for several more seasons, but Robertson is confident that he can get them out of it on a technicality after the forthcoming fifth season ends.

‘He’s confident lawyers can find a loophole and get them out of any long-term commitments,’ said the source.

‘Phil wants to use his company name Duck Commander as the title for an entirely new show that they can produce themselves and be in control of what goes on.’

KEEP READING…

Best I can tell this report is based on an exclusive that the National Enquirer ran three days ago. While it seems plausible that the Duck Commander may do something like this, the reporting appears to be based on unnamed sources and it leaves me with some doubt. So take this with a grain of salt. It may be true and if it is we’ll be hearing much more about it in the future.


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