Sitcoms in off-network syndication, past vs. present - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

george ho · 02-09-2013, 03:18 PM

Let's list examples, please:

I Love Lucy has been successful in my area, and it is still broadcast in two local stations, TV Land, Hallmark Channel, and others that I might miss.

Gilligan's Island was successful, even after three seasons, over the years, but appeal in 2000s have waned down, especially when it was released on DVD. Right now, it's not listed in local stations or cable channels.

According to Jim was not a huge network success, but it is still fairly doing all right in one local station and TBS.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show shifted through cable networks over the years, and it is now seen in MeTV and FAMNET.

Step by Step did air in ABC Family after syndication flop. Right now, it's gone from TV.

Full House is still scheduled in evenings, afternoons, and early mornings in ABC Family and Nick@Nite. But it's gone from local syndication since cable.

Family Matters did all right over the years after network cancellation. Right now, only one episode is scheduled to air at Nick@Nite within the next 14 years. That's right; ONLY ONE!! Why is that?

Ellen had no extended syndication life probably due to distributor's attitude toward lesbianism and insufficient amounts of requirements met to be syndicated.

Dharma & Greg and Spin City were network hits, but were short-lived in syndication. Right now, they appear in TV Guide Network. To be honest, D&G is awfully not hilarious to me, and Spin City may not be for me because of today's politics.

Any other examples?

tbswatcher · 02-09-2013, 07:10 PM

Home Improvement did well when it was on ABC and spent awhile in broadcast syndication. It has been on the cable networks Nick at Nite, TBS and currently late night on TV Land. At least the show is on DVD.

Everybody Hates Chris was a hit for UPN and was broadcast In broadcast syndication until Fall 2012. As for cable it has been shared among Viacom networks for years starting at Nick at Nite and eventually airing on Teennick, BET and currently Centric weekdays at 2pm.

george ho · 02-09-2013, 08:23 PM

My Name Is Earl did air in local stations, affiliated by MyNetworkTV. However, it is no longer seen in them, while it is still scheduled in TBS.

Fresh Prince of Bel Air is off from local stations since 2000s. Then it shifted through various cable channels. Right now, it's on TBS and ABC Family.

30 Rock is not doing well in local stations. Last year, it did below 1.5 or 2.0. Right now, it's airing at late nights, and I'm not sure whether it does well in cable.

Ugh... Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory are still off-network hits, not mention cable hits. Why won't they wane off and then die!?

Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie tried to succeed in local stations this decade; they are no longer on cable. Bewitched didn't do well in one station, so it went to another, while it's on air at also MeTV and Logo. I Dream of Jeannie shifted from one local station to MeTV. Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie are not that successful as they were for a long time, even on DVD.

Non-sitcom programs:
Amazingly, Law & Order and its spinoffs are still faring well in broadcast syndication; each with ratings between 2.0 and 3.0 usually.

I heard that Star Trek (1960s) did well in syndication for a long time and cable, as well. However, right now it's airing on only Saturday nights at MeTV. Why is it no longer on cable?

tooltime1987 · 02-17-2013, 10:17 AM

I hope they will air "Home Improvement" on ABC Family soon as early as Fall 2013 because "Home Improvement" would be a great fit for ABC Family!!!

tooltime1987 · 02-25-2013, 08:23 PM

I hope they will air Family Matters on TV Land soon!!!

02-09-2013, 03:18 PM	#1
george ho Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 19, 2010 Posts: 85	Sitcoms in off-network syndication, past vs. present Let's list examples, please: I Love Lucy has been successful in my area, and it is still broadcast in two local stations, TV Land, Hallmark Channel, and others that I might miss. Gilligan's Island *was* successful, even after three seasons, over the years, but appeal in 2000s have waned down, especially when it was released on DVD. Right now, it's not listed in local stations or cable channels. According to Jim was not a huge network success, but it is still fairly doing all right in one local station and TBS. The Mary Tyler Moore Show shifted through cable networks over the years, and it is now seen in MeTV and FAMNET. Step by Step did air in ABC Family after syndication flop. Right now, it's gone from TV. Full House is still scheduled in evenings, afternoons, and early mornings in ABC Family and Nick@Nite. But it's gone from local syndication since cable. Family Matters did all right over the years after network cancellation. Right now, only one episode is scheduled to air at Nick@Nite within the next 14 years. That's right; ONLY ONE!! Why is that? Ellen had no extended syndication life probably due to distributor's attitude toward lesbianism and insufficient amounts of requirements met to be syndicated. Dharma & Greg and Spin City were network hits, but were short-lived in syndication. Right now, they appear in TV Guide Network. To be honest, D&G is awfully not hilarious to me, and Spin City may not be for me because of today's politics. Any other examples?

02-17-2013, 10:17 AM	#4
tooltime1987 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 03, 2013 Location: Easthampton,MA Posts: 559	Syndicated Sitcoms I hope they will air "Home Improvement" on ABC Family soon as early as Fall 2013 because "Home Improvement" would be a great fit for ABC Family!!!

02-25-2013, 08:23 PM	#5
tooltime1987 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 03, 2013 Location: Easthampton,MA Posts: 559	Family Matters I hope they will air Family Matters on TV Land soon!!!

02-09-2013, 07:10 PM	#2
tbswatcher Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 28, 2007 Location: Watching TBS Posts: 301	Home Improvement did well when it was on ABC and spent awhile in broadcast syndication. It has been on the cable networks Nick at Nite, TBS and currently late night on TV Land. At least the show is on DVD. Everybody Hates Chris was a hit for UPN and was broadcast In broadcast syndication until Fall 2012. As for cable it has been shared among Viacom networks for years starting at Nick at Nite and eventually airing on Teennick, BET and currently Centric weekdays at 2pm.

02-09-2013, 08:23 PM	#3
george ho Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 19, 2010 Posts: 85	My Name Is Earl did air in local stations, affiliated by MyNetworkTV. However, it is no longer seen in them, while it is still scheduled in TBS. Fresh Prince of Bel Air is off from local stations since 2000s. Then it shifted through various cable channels. Right now, it's on TBS and ABC Family. 30 Rock is not doing well in local stations. Last year, it did below 1.5 or 2.0. Right now, it's airing at late nights, and I'm not sure whether it does well in cable. Ugh... Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory are still off-network hits, not mention cable hits. Why won't they wane off and then die!? Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie tried to succeed in local stations this decade; they are no longer on cable. Bewitched didn't do well in one station, so it went to another, while it's on air at also MeTV and Logo. I Dream of Jeannie shifted from one local station to MeTV. Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie are not that successful as they were for a long time, even on DVD. Non-sitcom programs: Amazingly, Law & Order and its spinoffs are still faring well in broadcast syndication; each with ratings between 2.0 and 3.0 usually. I heard that Star Trek (1960s) did well in syndication for a long time and cable, as well. However, right now it's airing on only Saturday nights at MeTV. Why is it no longer on cable?