I can't recall where I saw it, but I'm reasonably sure that ABC has had an agreement in place for quite a while for 1 more Colubmo episode. It may have been an agreement for 25 total episodes, which might better explain why we haven't seen more Columbos over the years as ABC might have had a strangle hold on the show. This might explain why we've only seen just a few episodes over the last 7 years or so, and sadly it's looking like the 25th ABC episode may still be a long time coming.

Based on the marketing of the last episode, I tend to think ABC doesn't want to do any more Columbos, but is perhap obligated to do so. The other reason for such few shows in recent years might be Peter Falk's desire for great scripts, However, the last few haven't exactly been Gems, so I tend to believe the production slowdown has more to do with ABC than Falk. Gee you would think with so many years in between episodes that with all that time they'd come up with some emmy winning scripts?

With NBC running out of Law & Order ideas, I'd love to see NBC bring back it's Mystery Movie with Columbo, but I doubt we'll ever see that.

Twice William Link & Peter Falk have sought out other interested networks for broadcasting new Columbos. Several years ago, A&E announced plans to back future Columbos, but instead ABC flexed its contractual muscle to put out "Columbo Likes the Night Life", which pushed for a drastic change in the format of the mystery series sans any advertising budget.

Last year Universal Studios was bought out by the company owning NBC. It was reported Link & Falk courted the new NBC management for new Columbos, but ABC appears to have flexed its contractual muscle once again.

If you recall the various season announcements by ABC many years ago, it had announced the backing of three more Columbos. The first of those three was much delayed release of Columbo: Murder With Too Many Notes. If my calculations are correct ABC can only pull this stunt one last time.

We can only hope for Falk sake that there's a Sean Connery Clause in the contract that states ABC "Pay or Play".