'Mad Men' in danger of cancellation

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN Entertainment) - "Mad Men" is in danger of being canceled even after raking in multiple awards and four successful seasons. Show creator Matthew Weiner is objecting to Lionsgate Television and AMC's budget cuts for the series.

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Weiner's contract is secure, with the two sides agreeing on a $30 million deal for two years. But they are apparently struggling to agree on budgets in advertising, actors, and others.

According to Deadline, Weiner is objecting to three things that AMC and Lionsgate are asking for, namely integrating product placement into the series, cutting two minutes from each episode's running time in favor of more commercials, and eliminating or reducing two regular cast members to save money.

An insider told the trade, "This is their storied franchise, and they want it shorter and cheaper, with fewer actors and more product integration. The negotiations are about to collapse as a result."

The fifth season of the show depends on whether the two sides can agree. The production start for the season has already been pushed back.