Doesn't A Show Have To Have 100 Episodes For Syndication? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Family Ties Forever! · 06-29-2010, 01:54 AM

I thought a show had to reach 100 episodes before it would be eligible for syndication.

I read that BBT recently had a syndication deal, yet the show hasn't reached 100 episodes yet.

Zoneboy · 06-29-2010, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

I thought a show had to reach 100 episodes before it would be eligible for syndication.

I read that BBT recently had a syndication deal, yet the show hasn't reached 100 episodes yet.

I think it's a safe bet that with the ratings this show gets that it will easily reach 100 episodes and more.

Family Ties Forever! · 06-29-2010, 02:06 AM

In general though, (regardless of which show) doesn't there need to be 100 episodes?

treky · 06-29-2010, 02:36 AM

what's BBT?

Zoneboy · 06-29-2010, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

what's BBT?

Big Bang Theory

TV_on_the_Porch · 06-29-2010, 03:49 AM

100 episodes is a healthy number for stripping (running 5 days a week) and of course more is better, but lots of shows have had very successful runs in syndication with fewer than that, in some case much fewer. Addams Family and The Munsters are the first examples that come to mind. Without stopping to look I'd say there are only about 70 episodes of each and yet those shows were perennial favorites on local stations for years.

The Ghost And Mrs. Muir, Please Don't Eat The Daisies, F-Troop, The Bill Cosby Show and many other two-season shows were offered in syndication at one time or another. Heck, what about The Honeymooners 'classic 39' episodes? They ran and ran and ran for almost 30 years before Jackie Gleason opened the vaults and shared the 'lost' episodes. Even the 1957 version of Blondie has made the rounds in syndication--all 26 episodes!

Those are all examples of shows that have been stripped in syndication. Shows with even fewer episodes such as The Prisoner and Eischied have turned up for syndicated runs, usually in late-night weekend time slots.

So while number of episodes is an important consideration, there isn't a minimum to qualify as you put it. It's a simple matter of whether it'll sell.

comedyfreak · 06-29-2010, 08:14 AM

Don't forget Lost In Space and Star Trek T.O.S. The first had 83 eps and the latter 79 both had healthy runs in syndication.

browneyes106 · 06-29-2010, 12:33 PM

Syndication deals have changed over time. It has been noted that most syndication deals happen before TV shows hit 100 episodes. Also cable channels often will air reruns of shows that haven't hit 100 episodes or shows that had less than that. Bravo aired reruns of Six Feet Under which only had about 70 episodes. A&E also airs The Sopranos and ABC Family will begin airing reruns of Friday Night Lights in September.

Family Ties Forever! · 06-29-2010, 11:00 PM

Thanks, I didn't know that. That explains it.

catlover79 · 06-29-2010, 11:14 PM

I think WKRP only had 90 episodes, but it still hit big in syndication. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Marvo301 · 06-29-2010, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I think WKRP only had 90 episodes, but it still hit big in syndication. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

IMDB.com agrees with you Monika (a smart move on their part!). According to the episode list on that site there were exactly 90 episodes of WKRP In Cincinnati.

Mr. Television · 06-29-2010, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I think WKRP only had 90 episodes, but it still hit big in syndication. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Yea that's true. What's Happening was big in syndication too and it only had about 66 episodes. In NC, Carter Country was rerunned all the time in the 1980's and they only had about 44 episodes. And they aired every day of the week. lol

bencasey · 06-30-2010, 05:37 PM

In the 50s into the mid-60s, just about every show went into syndication, even if it only last for one season. For instance, Gidget, No Time for Sergeants, Wendy and Me and Room for One More are all examples of syndicated one season series. There were many more.

catlover79 · 06-30-2010, 08:45 PM

Wow - I just guessed at 90 episodes for WKRP! Thanks for confirming it, everyone.

TMC · 11-01-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

Don't forget Lost In Space and Star Trek T.O.S. The first had 83 eps and the latter 79 both had healthy runs in syndication.

Star Trek is a unique example of a show actually becoming a bigger hit in syndication than in its original network TV run.

06-29-2010, 01:54 AM	#1
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	Doesn't A Show Have To Have 100 Episodes For Syndication? I thought a show had to reach 100 episodes before it would be eligible for syndication. I read that BBT recently had a syndication deal, yet the show hasn't reached 100 episodes yet.
	__________________ Jenny

06-29-2010, 02:36 AM	#4
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	what's BBT?
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

06-29-2010, 08:14 AM	#7
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	Don't forget Lost In Space and Star Trek T.O.S. The first had 83 eps and the latter 79 both had healthy runs in syndication.
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06-29-2010, 11:14 PM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I think WKRP only had 90 episodes, but it still hit big in syndication. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

06-29-2010, 02:06 AM	#3
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	In general though, (regardless of which show) doesn't there need to be 100 episodes?

06-29-2010, 03:49 AM	#6
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	100 episodes is a healthy number for stripping (running 5 days a week) and of course more is better, but lots of shows have had very successful runs in syndication with fewer than that, in some case much fewer. Addams Family and The Munsters are the first examples that come to mind. Without stopping to look I'd say there are only about 70 episodes of each and yet those shows were perennial favorites on local stations for years. The Ghost And Mrs. Muir, Please Don't Eat The Daisies, F-Troop, The Bill Cosby Show and many other two-season shows were offered in syndication at one time or another. Heck, what about The Honeymooners 'classic 39' episodes? They ran and ran and ran for almost 30 years before Jackie Gleason opened the vaults and shared the 'lost' episodes. Even the 1957 version of Blondie has made the rounds in syndication--all 26 episodes! Those are all examples of shows that have been stripped in syndication. Shows with even fewer episodes such as The Prisoner and Eischied have turned up for syndicated runs, usually in late-night weekend time slots. So while number of episodes is an important consideration, there isn't a minimum to qualify as you put it. It's a simple matter of whether it'll sell.

06-29-2010, 12:33 PM	#8
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,097	Syndication deals have changed over time. It has been noted that most syndication deals happen before TV shows hit 100 episodes. Also cable channels often will air reruns of shows that haven't hit 100 episodes or shows that had less than that. Bravo aired reruns of Six Feet Under which only had about 70 episodes. A&E also airs The Sopranos and ABC Family will begin airing reruns of Friday Night Lights in September.

06-29-2010, 11:00 PM	#9
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	Thanks, I didn't know that. That explains it.

06-30-2010, 05:37 PM	#13
bencasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: Long Beach Posts: 1,692	In the 50s into the mid-60s, just about every show went into syndication, even if it only last for one season. For instance, Gidget, No Time for Sergeants, Wendy and Me and Room for One More are all examples of syndicated one season series. There were many more.

06-30-2010, 08:45 PM	#14
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Wow - I just guessed at 90 episodes for WKRP! Thanks for confirming it, everyone.