In a preemptive move against the big boys of broadcasting Comedy Central and SPIKE TV have out bid the major conventional and cable networks for the exclusive rights to first-run some major motion pictures.

In a real bag of a deal Comedy Central has acquired the rights to first-run “Scary Movie 4” on its network. At the time the deal was made the other networks were running in the other direction to get as far away as they could bearing in mind the tremendous disaster sequels 2 and 3 were. But Comedy Central is now sitting on their pot of gold all alone and loving every minute of it since “Scary Movie 4” has turned into box office dynamite grossing over $40 million in its first weekend alone. The total Comedy Central will have to end up paying the Weinstein Company will depend on the total grosses of the film when all is said and done, but Comedy Central isn’t looking at that number, they are relishing in the numbers that will come their way from those wanting to advertise their product for commercials during the showing of the flick on the cable network.

The big news for SPIKE TV is they have already, through a practice that was once standard in the biz called “pre-buy” but has been neglected recently, bought the rights to premiere “Sin City 2” on its cable network once the theatrical run is complete.

In other cable network news the FX Channel, home of so many great original hits like “The Shield,” “Rescue Me,” and “The Thief” has pre-bought the rights to air “Superman Returns” after its movie-house run is complete.

With these new and younger cable companies employing the old method of pre-buy in their strategies, the big boys of broadcasting may have to reevaluate how they currently acquire programming if they expect to keep a strong viewing audience for special flicks like those being acquired by their smaller competition.