DONE: AMC & Sony TV Reach Deal For 16-Episode Final Season Of 'Breaking Bad'

After tense and public negotiations, AMC just closed a deal with producer Sony Pictures TV to renew dark drama Breaking Bad for a final batch of 16 episodes. The episodes are expected to be filmed together but may be split into 2 seasons. The deal comes just as the series was facing two deadlines as its license deal with AMC was set to expire tomorrow and the options are up on Aug. 31. The two sides have reached a compromise over the stickiest issue - who will cover the series' budget of $3 million+. I hear both Sony TV and AMC will contribute. With the series renewal secured, Sony TV now has to make a new deal with Breaking Bad creator/executive producer Vince Gilligan who doesn't have a contract beyond Season 4. The cast, led by Emmy winners Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, may also renegotiate their deals.