This may seem like a really basic, dense question for some...but I'm just having a difficult time nailing down the details myself based on different answers I've received. When a sitcom (preferably an older series) is licensed for syndication, is it customary for the original broadcast network or production studio to create the syndicated prints? Or, is it up to the individual affiliate stations to begin with to cut down the masters for their own syndicated purposes?

I suppose this also beckons another question - is it possible that episodes may be sold into syndication initially with NO edits for time whatsoever? Yes, of course a rerun is going to require more commercial time, but would it violate standard procedure to just license the full episodes "as is" and leave it up to the individual affiliates to chop off the few extra minutes of airtime they'll need? Also, how do they know exactly HOW much time to shave off (assuming it's not the station that does the editing)? I can't imagine they just decide to cut out an arbitrary 90 seconds or whatever.

Again, I guess I never understood the fundamentals of syndication. Also didn't help that I've heard all possible scenarios from different sources. Maybe they're all right; maybe it depends on the show. But, surely, there must be a common way at least! Thanks.

Just from my observation,it seems to me it's the channels that do most of the cuts,or editing to fit in added commercials. MeTV for example edits out less of the show than something like TVLand etc.. Years ago when commercial time was still limited reruns of older or classic shows were hardly edited at all.

I suppose this also beckons another question - is it possible that episodes may be sold into syndication initially with NO edits for time whatsoever? Yes, of course a rerun is going to require more commercial time, but would it violate standard procedure to just license the full episodes "as is" and leave it up to the individual affiliates to chop off the few extra minutes of airtime they'll need? Also, how do they know exactly HOW much time to shave off (assuming it's not the station that does the editing)? I can't imagine they just decide to cut out an arbitrary 90 seconds or whatever.


I don't know much about syndication either,but Yes there are episodes still used for syndication with no edits at all, even nowadays.A couple of examples: PBS does not edit any of the classic Britcoms they show.The Encore westerns channel air their classic TV westerns unedited.Then of course there are countries in Europe and elsewhere around the world whose TV channels do not edit shows for extra commercials.

I'm fairly certain that whatever studio owns the rights to the series is responsible for cutting/editing the episodes and the affiliates wanting to air the series are given whatever the studio sends them... I'm sure that the stations also make their own edits as well.

I appreciate your input, LUNCH. But since you claim not to know that much about syndication either, I'd love some response from someone who is more familiar with the process. Anyone more certain and able to verify a solid answer with evidence?

I'd like to know myself because I remember when TVLand aquired the syndication runs of Three's Company they were edited slightly different than the local syndicated TC prints I remember from the 80's and 90's.

And when Sci-Fi and USA channels aired Transformers and G.I.Joe they butchered the episodes real bad but both shows airing now on The Hub (or Discovery, whatever) they are not edited.

This also would be something I would be interested in knowing the details about. you raise a lot of great questions.

I heard TVland edits of Batman were apparently different than when scifi channel used to show marathons of the series.

I remember there was this one time when Home Improvement was reran like crazy and I watched the same episode on two different channels, about an hour apart. and you could watch the edits would be totally different.

I would love to know exactly all the techniques that goes into doing this. I mean, I guess cutting credits is the best way to save time, speeding episode up just a slight bit can also can shave off a good minute or so. If they really need too, I've seen opening scenes and ending scene before the credits get cut too.

I'd like to know myself because I remember when TVLand aquired the syndication runs of Three's Company they were edited slightly different than the local syndicated TC prints I remember from the 80's and 90's.

And when Sci-Fi and USA channels aired Transformers and G.I.Joe they butchered the episodes real bad but both shows airing now on The Hub (or Discovery, whatever) they are not edited.


Yup which is why I was so Surprised when I saw the Tag scenes for the first time ever in life in 2000 when the show aired on N@N because when I watched it on my local philly station all I saw was the local edits

Interesting responses from everyone. Yes, I think it's pretty clearly established that individual affiliates make some of their own edits. But, this only leads back around to my original question - are ANY cuts made by the studio or original network to begin with? Honestly, between all the different experiences people have had seeing same episodes recut on another network and my own personal confirmation of that fact (GOLDEN GIRLS is an entirely different show now on Hallmark than it was a decade ago on Lifetime), I think these syndicated versions must PRIMARILY be edited by the station airing it. There must be someone in the biz with an official solid answer for all of us, though. Please?? :confused:

I hate when edits are so badly done that even the audience laugh track gets cut midway sometimes.

About a year ago I tweeted to Logo TV about the terrible editing done to Roseanne, Golden Girls and a couple other shows. The response from Logo was that "they air what they are given."

Granted, it could have been a 19-year-old intern at Logo who had no idea what he or she was talking about, but it could be true. The series may have come as a package deal, and the network took what was provided to them.

I can't imagine a network taking the time to go through and edit a series individually - so it would seem that there is a "syndication authority" who provides that service.

Just my two cents, but I am glad for this thread.

About a year ago I tweeted to Logo TV about the terrible editing done to Roseanne, Golden Girls and a couple other shows. The response from Logo was that "they air what they are given."

Granted, it could have been a 19-year-old intern at Logo who had no idea what he or she was talking about, but it could be true. The series may have come as a package deal, and the network took what was provided to them.

I can't imagine a network taking the time to go through and edit a series individually - so it would seem that there is a "syndication authority" who provides that service.

Just my two cents, but I am glad for this thread.

Well, I think a network like UP proves that they obviously do their own edits. Judging Amy reruns are not watchable on that network. Serious edits have been done compared to when they were shown on TNT.

I am certain that the original studio produces their own syndication reel to start with, but individual stations probably work from there and do their own edits. I also think that the older a series is, the more likely it is that the original masters are lost and stations must work from whatever edited version they can get their hands on.

Well, I think a network like UP proves that they obviously do their own edits. Judging Amy reruns are not watchable on that network. Serious edits have been done compared to when they were shown on TNT.

I am certain that the original studio produces their own syndication reel to start with, but individual stations probably work from there and do their own edits. I also think that the older a series is, the more likely it is that the original masters are lost and stations must work from whatever edited version they can get their hands on.

that might explain why edited shows appear on DVD sets

The question I'd like to know is that how come it seems like they edit the shows more now than as opposed to 20 years ago?

I dont remember watching it but I would think that when the Andy Griffith Show aired on TBS, they didnt edit the hell out of it like they do on TV Land.

The question I'd like to know is that how come it seems like they edit the shows more now than as opposed to 20 years ago?




That's easy to answer. They are allowed to have more ads now. 20 years ago there were more regulations on how much advertising could be in an hour of TV, but since those regulations were relaxed they can now fit a lot more advertising in, thus reducing the length of actual episodes and adding far more ads.

that might explain why edited shows appear on DVD sets


Sometimes this is the case, often it has to do with music rights. If they cannot get the clearances for the original music to appear on the DVD's they may just use whatever they can get clear, which most often is the same music used when they edited episodes for syndication. Sometimes they have to replace music during syndication.

You know on 90210 on FX the music was intact yet on POP its not. Found that somewhat surprising. In fact, if you watch Happy Days, The Wonder Years etc. on TV Land, ME-TV etc. you'll see the music intact.