lack of syndicated tv programs

weht to first run syndicated tv programs? you don't see them on tv
anymore. there used to be a time one would flip channels to catch
"lost world", "beastmaster", she spies, and some other shows.

now it's mainly reruns of network shows.

videonovels...

The stations that used to show those series became affiliated with UPN
or WB, which left little spare time for syndicated shows like B5, DS9,
xena, et cetera, because these stations have to show UPN and WB series
instead.

For example, my local station used to show b5, ds9, xena. Now they
show reruns of Veronica mars & top model, so no room for syndicated
shows.

Patrick Joseph Mc Namara...

Some of the best TV of the last decade was syndicated.

Anim8rFSK...

While you might be right, can you name any examples?

Though with the reformatting of the WB & UPN stations to CW, MyNetwork and
independents, syndicated shows could see a revival.

videonovels...

I doubt we'll see a revival. (1) Paramount/WB created the UPN/WB
networks, specifically so they could abandon syndicated, and air their
shows at a regular time. They don't want to revive syndication.

(2) No new independents are being created. We still have two fledgling
networks.... it was UPN/WB. Now it's MNT/CW. So there is still a
scarcity of stations with free time for airing syndicated originals.

:-)

Jude Cormier...

CW is a fledgling network. MNT is simply a programming service.

videonovels...

Please elaborate. My Network TV programs 12 hours a week, Monday
through Saturday. CW also programs 12 hours a week.

Where's the difference?

akjack...

...

WB20 in San Francisco will become an independent.
Perhaps many of those stations losing WB or UPN affiliation will
fill the void with syndicated programming. KRON in San Francisco
did that several years ago when they lost NBC affiliation and became
an independent.

KRON is reportedly becoming an MNTV affiliate, but MNTV
doesn't provide 18 daily hours of programming. CW won't provide
that number of daily hours either.

________
2- | _____] 2258: "Signs and Portents"
time | | ___ 2259: "The Coming of Shadows"
Sci-Fi |__|[_ \ 2260: "Point of No Return"
Achievement B A _B Y\ L\ O N 2261: "No Surrender, No Retreat"
Awards ( \__/ | 2262: "Wheel of Fire"
Winner \______/
A TV NOVEL (available on dvd)

akjack...

Many first run syndicated programs are on weekday schedules.
They might not be the type of programming you watch.

A number of them are talk, game or entertainment news shows.

kilroybass...

thanks. i was mainly interested in action/dramas.

Note that six of the top ten are not reruns of network shows.

Perhaps drama syndicated programs could not draw viewers.
You can find syndicated adventure programs on cable channels.

videonovels...

(1) Original dramas like Star Trek or Xena used to air in the top
10.... TNG was watched by 14% of households at its 1990-91 peak. So
they had plenty of viewers.

(2) Cable shows such as Stargate on Sci-fi Channel are not syndicated.
"Syndication" refers to selling a show to 200+ local stations..... each
sale handled separately for each locality.

:-)

________
2- | _____] 2258: "Signs and Portents"
time | | ___ 2259: "The Coming of Shadows"
Sci-Fi |__|[_ \ 2260: "Point of No Return"
Achievement B A _B Y\ L\ O N 2261: "No Surrender, No Retreat"
Awards ( \__/ | 2262: "Wheel of Fire"
Winner \______/
A TV NOVEL (available on dvd)

et472...

There seemed to be a period when it was common, the shows you mention,
and then suddenly they disappeared.