What Shows started out on Network television then went into First-run Syndication?

Baywatch on NBC (1989-90); syndicated in 1991
Mama's Family on NBC (1983-85); syndicated (1986-90)
Too Close For Comfort/The Ted Knight Show on ABC (1980-83); syndicated (1984-86)
Its A Living/Making a Living on ABC (1980-82); syndicated (1985-89)

Here are a few more:

'Charles in Charge' on CBS 1984-85; syndicated 1987-1990
'The Jetsons' on ABC 1962-63; syndicated 1984-85
'Sirens' on ABC 1993; syndicated 1994-95
'Fame' on NBC 1982-84; syndicated 1984-87

Hee Haw on CBS (1969-71); syndicated 1971-93
21 Jump Street on FOX (1987-90); syndicated 1990-91

We Got It Made on NBC 1983-84,Syndication 1987-88

Punky Brewster ran from 1984-86 on NBC and from 1986-88 in first run syndication. Silver Spoons ran from 1982-86 on NBC and from 1986-87 in first-run syndication.

Webster ran from 1983-87 on ABC and then 87-89 in first run syndication.

9 to 5 ran from 1982-83 on ABC and then 86-88 in first-run syndication. (A little fuzzy on the exact syndication years)

What's Happening! on ABC (1976-79); in syndication 1985-88, as What's Happening Now!

'Lassie' (1971-74)

'The Lawrence Welk Show' (1971-82)

Hee Haw on CBS (1969-71); syndicated 1971-93
21 Jump Street on FOX (1987-90); syndicated 1990-91
Wow, I never knew 21 Jump Street had another season in syndication. I'm guessing Johnny Depp was history at this point, right?

Wow, I never knew 21 Jump Street had another season in syndication. I'm guessing Johnny Depp was history at this point, right?Found this on wikipedia: Season 4 was the last season to air on the Fox Network. In commentary on the Season 5 DVD set, Peter DeLuise said that Fox had decided to cancel the show after Season 4 because the ratings had fallen below a set limit. Following this season, Johnny Depp and Dustin Nguyen left the show

^ Thanks!!

I just referenced this on another thread but it's actually more relevant in this one: The Goldbergs aired live on three networks (CBS, NBC, Du Mont) in six seasons before entering first-run syndication on film in 1955.

This brings up a question - why is first-run syndication basically a thing of the past? :confused:

This brings up a question - why is first-run syndication basically a thing of the past? :confused:
Interesting question. One of the last (first-run) syndicated tv shows that I'm aware of, Legend of the Seeker, was not renewed for a third season. My guess is that its because so many cable networks produce new programming now a days. Even TVLand, with Hot in Cleveland.

I think syndicated scripted tv shows probably get lost in the shuffle.

The Snorks: 1984-86, NBC; 1987-89, Syn.

The Joker's Wild: 1972-75, CBS; 1977-86, Syn.

Tic Tac Dough (Wink Martindale'version): July 1978-September 1978, CBS; Sept. 1978-86, Syn.

Break the Bank (1976 Version): April 1976-July 1976, ABC; Sept. 1976-77, Syn. as a once-a-week series

Jonny Quest: 1964-65, ABC; 1986-87 (yes, there was an 1980s version that gotten bad press), Syn., 1995-96, Syn.

Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears: Sept. 1985-89, NBC; 1989-90, ABC; 1990-91, Syn.

The Jetsons actually ran in 1st-run syndication until 1987.

Interesting question. One of the last (first-run) syndicated tv shows that I'm aware of, Legend of the Seeker, was not renewed for a third season. My guess is that its because so many cable networks produce new programming now a days. Even TVLand, with Hot in Cleveland.

I think syndicated scripted tv shows probably get lost in the shuffle.
Well, that's as good a theory as any!!

It's kinda interesting they really don't sell shows to first run syndication once they have been on a network anymore. They usually now days sell them to another network or a cable network. Just like Law and Order Criminal intent and Southland were. The only once that i really notice to go to first run syndication are games shows.

Or what about shows that stared in 1st-run syndication then switched to network runs?

These shows are:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (original version): 1987-90, Syn.; 1990-96, CBS

The Tyra Banks Show: 2005-09, Syn.; 2009-2010, CW

Pokemon (the early seasons): 1998-99, Syn.; 1999-2006/07, WB; 2006/07-present CW

This brings up a question - why is first-run syndication basically a thing of the past? :confused:

Yeah, as mentioned before the rise of cable has basically stopped first run syndicated programming.

Nowadays it is used mostly for talk shows, daytime court shows, some game shows, and celebrity gossip shows.


As far as serial dramas go I have noticed it is mainly used for sci-fi/fantasy oriented programs that don't last long, so they come and go pretty quickly without being noticed.

This brings up a question - why is first-run syndication basically a thing of the past? :confused:

First of all, I just wanted to say that I was surprised to learn that Webster, Punky Brewster, and Silver Spoons all went into first-run syndication. I had absolutely no idea!

Now, to your question: I think it mainly is due to the fact that it is costly to film and produce new shows. So, instead of that, most channels opt to purchase sure things like Two and a Half Men and other similar shows for equal or less money and have that guarantee that they will bring in ratings - even if it is only a rerun.

Here's more, but I'll go for game shows first:

(New) Match Game, daytime edition, CBS, 1973-79; syndicated, 1979-82

(The New) Family Feud, daytime edition, Host Ray Combs and then Richard Dawson, CBS, 1988-93; syndicated, 1993-95

Let's Make a Deal, prime time edition, NBC, 1967; ABC, 1968-71; Syndicated, 1971-77

I'll go for others next time...

Here's more, but I'll go for game shows first:

(New) Match Game, daytime edition, CBS, 1973-79; syndicated, 1979-82

(The New) Family Feud, daytime edition, Host Ray Combs and then Richard Dawson, CBS, 1988-93; syndicated, 1993-95

Let's Make a Deal, prime time edition, NBC, 1967; ABC, 1968-71; Syndicated, 1971-77

I'll go for others next time...


The Hollywood Squares w/ Peter Marshall: 1966-80, NBC Daytime; January 1968-Sept. '68, NBC Primetime; 1971-81, syndicated (became 5-days a week from 1980-81)

The Gong Show w/ Chuck Barris: 1976-78, NBC Daytime; 1977(?)-80, Syndicated

The Dating Game w/ Jim Lange: 1965-73, ABC Daytime, 1966-67 (?), ABC Primetime; 1973-74 as The New Dating Game, Syn.)

The Hollywood Squares w/ Peter Marshall: 1966-80, NBC Daytime; January 1968-Sept. '68, NBC Primetime; 1971-81, syndicated (became 5-days a week from 1980-81)
This does not count because daytime and primetime versions were concurrent at that time.

The Gong Show w/ Chuck Barris: 1976-78, NBC Daytime; 1977(?)-80, Syndicated
Both versions were concurrent until daytime's cancellation; even the syndicated version did not extend to daytime... I think.

The Dating Game w/ Jim Lange: 1965-73, ABC Daytime, 1966-67 (?), ABC Primetime; 1973-74 as The New Dating Game, Syn.)
You got the Daytime version right on track. The prime time version was canned in 1970, according to Wikipedia.

EDIT: Wheel of Fortune does not count; daytime and prime time syndicated versions were concurrent until the daytime's cancellation.

Jeopardy! w/ Art Fleming had two concurrent versions in 1974-75; even after daytime's end, the weekly syndication did not extend into daily. This does not count either.

This does not count because daytime and primetime versions were concurrent at that time.


Both versions were concurrent until daytime's cancellation; even the syndicated version did not extend to daytime... I think.


You got the Daytime version right on track. The prime time version was canned in 1970, according to Wikipedia.

EDIT: Wheel of Fortune does not count; daytime and prime time syndicated versions were concurrent until the daytime's cancellation.

Jeopardy! w/ Art Fleming had two concurrent versions in 1974-75; even after daytime's end, the weekly syndication did not extend into daily. This does not count either.

The '70s MG also had a concurrent syndicated nighttime "Match Game PM" that spilled into 1980/1981 while the daytime syndie MG just started.

HS - the syndie version originally was once a week, then it became twice a week. 3 months after the daytime version ended, the syndie version became a permanent daily strip 5-days a week.

I forgot one other show:

The New Twilight Zone from the 1980s: 1985-87, CBS; 1988-89, Syn.

Concentration: 1958-73, NBC; 1973-78, Syn.

The '70s MG also had a concurrent syndicated nighttime "Match Game PM" that spilled into 1980/1981 while the daytime syndie MG just started.

The daytime syndie started after CBS cancelled MG '7x. I just used only daytime edition to prove my point.

Maybe we should separate daytime and prime time from each other into separate lines; what do you think?

The daytime syndie started after CBS cancelled MG '7x. I just used only daytime edition to prove my point.

Maybe we should separate daytime and prime time from each other into separate lines; what do you think?

Well I guess it makes sense.

The daytime syndie started after CBS cancelled MG '7x. I just used only daytime edition to prove my point.

Maybe we should separate daytime and prime time from each other into separate lines; what do you think?
I started this thread, and I guess I should have specified scripted television shows, as that was my intent. I wasn't thinking of games shows, talk shows or informational shows (Dr. Phil; The Doctors), most of which are primarily syndicated television.

How about Adventures of Superman (live action, 1950s series)? I recall reading that it began on ABC before switching to syndication, but that could be in error.

didn't "THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO" go into first-run sydnication after ABC cannceled it?

Or what about shows that stared in 1st-run syndication then switched to network runs?



The best example of this that I can think of is "Mister Ed", which began in syndication in 1961 and then switched to NBC after its first season and ran for 4 more seasons.

The best example of this that I can think of is "Mister Ed", which began in syndication in 1961 and then switched to NBC after its first season and ran for 4 more seasons.

I thought Mr. Ed aired on CBS after leaving 1st-run syndication?

Want to add one more

Viper NBC (1993-94) in syn (1996-99)