TNT strikes 'Mentalist' syndication deal

The Mentalist has become the second CBS show this week to be sold into syndication.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, under a deal struck between Warner Bros. Domestic TV Distribution and TNT, the Simon Baker-fronted series will begin running weekly on the cable network from fall 2011.

Reports suggest that the deal has cost TNT between $2.2 million and $2.3 million per episode of the crime procedural.

A Warner Bros. representative commented: "The demand for the off-network rights [to The Mentalist] began almost immediately following its debut on CBS last fall and has steadily increased as the show blossomed into a true broadcast hit."

It was earlier announced that freshman drama NCIS: Los Angeles has been licensed to USA Network.