NEW YORK, June 23 (UPI) -- CBS could produce six to eight films annually in the $20 million to $50 million dollar range, Leslie Moonves told a New York meeting.
He proposed that CBS would put up the cash for a production unit to make the films, or produce them itself while allowing a studio to handle distribution, Daily Variety reported.
CBS would then pay the studio for rights to air or sell the pictures on Showtime, CBS TV and international television.
"We literally can get into the movie business risk-free," Moonves said.
CBS' deals with Lionsgate, Paramount and MGM are all due to expire soon, and Moonves has argued that the cost of movie company contracts must be reduced.
He cited his experience at Warner Bros. Television as a reason to get back into the business.
"It's a lot closer to have done 'ER' and 'CSI' and 'Friends' to (making) movies than some of the other companies that are out there. We know how to do this," Moonves said.
