Does Syndication Exclusivity exist for shows on networks such as MeTV and AntennaTV?

[KentB3]

Looking over the current schedules for digital subchannel networks such as MeTV and AntennaTV, I noticed that none of the same shows air on more than one channel, with the exception of The Beverly Hillbililes, which airs on both MeTV and RetroTV. Does the Syndication Exclusivity law apply to TV reruns airing on these channels? I do know that cable TV networks often rerun the same series, such as The Golden Girls on both Hallmark Channel and TV Land.

I was also aware that MeTV dropped its Norman Lear sitcoms such as All in the Family and Good Times when GetTV picked up these shows. Also, my local MeTV airs Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C instead of The Andy Griffith Show, since that airs on another local TV station, not a digital subchannel.

Any thoughts?

[stevea]

I think the exclusivity applies to local markets/channels, which the diginets service. This is why you see MeTV offering alternate programming to Andy Griffith, for example--another local channel has the exclusive rights. Then, eventually the exclusive rights expire. Locally, TAGS still airs on the other channel, but no longer exclusively.

It was Antenna that dropped the Lear sitcoms. It looked like the contracts with Sony expired. Sony didn't renew, since its network (GetTV) evidently wanted them.

[BigManMike]

At one point in my area, Andy Griffith was on locally on 30.1 but also on its MeTV subchannel 30.2. In addition, 30.1 also used to play Sanford and Son at exactly the same time as Antenna TV which is on a totally different channel 3.3.

[KentB3]

Originally Posted by stevea

I think the exclusivity applies to local markets/channels, which the diginets service. This is why you see MeTV offering alternate programming to Andy Griffith, for example--another local channel has the exclusive rights. Then, eventually the exclusive rights expire. Locally, TAGS still airs on the other channel, but no longer exclusively.

It was Antenna that dropped the Lear sitcoms. It looked like the contracts with Sony expired. Sony didn't renew, since its network (GetTV) evidently wanted them.

That may be true, but does the exclusivity prevent a TV show from airing on more than one subchannel network? As I posted earlier, The Beverly Hillbilies airs on both MeTV and RetroTV.

[BigManMike]

Originally Posted by KentB3

That may be true, but does the exclusivity prevent a TV show from airing on more than one subchannel network? As I posted earlier, The Beverly Hillbilies airs on both MeTV and RetroTV.

I don’t know in that case. It may. I think Retro TV only shows public domain episodes of the Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction so what they have is totally unrelated to the syndication packages MeTV has.

[stevea]

Originally Posted by KentB3

That may be true, but does the exclusivity prevent a TV show from airing on more than one subchannel network? As I posted earlier, The Beverly Hillbilies airs on both MeTV and RetroTV.

I'm only guessing, of course, but it probably depends on how the contracts are written. But I would think if 2 subchannel networks had the same show, and both were carried locally, you'd have a problem.

Also, is RetroTV showing public domain episodes? (Edit: sorry, should have read BC's post above.) I think you can tell when they change the theme due to music rights, and probably reduced quality. I'd say if they're showing PD episodes, they can probably do anything they want. (And there definitely are PD episodes of BH.)

[storrs19]

Originally Posted by stevea

I'm only guessing, of course, but it probably depends on how the contracts are written. But I would think if 2 subchannel networks had the same show, and both were carried locally, you'd have a problem.

Also, is RetroTV showing public domain episodes? (Edit: sorry, should have read BC's post above.) I think you can tell when they change the theme due to music rights, and probably reduced quality. I'd say if they're showing PD episodes, they can probably do anything they want. (And there definitely are PD episodes of BH.)

Yes, Retro TV shows only the same old PD episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction. Terrible print quality and the opening and closing music has been replaced with some “generic” music.

[biffbronson]

There are lots of series that air on different Weigel-owned networks concurrently. Currently Decades (69.3 for my area) is airing Petticoat Junction weekdays, while MeTV (57.2) airs it on Saturday mornings. (All episodes with intact theme music.) This weekend, Decades is doing a 77 Sunset Strip "binge" while the series continues to air on MeTV. TAGS in my area airs on both MeTV and My Network TV (69.1) -- and also sometimes also on ABC-57 (57.1).

But there have been examples of totally separate or different networks airing the same series concurrently -- for some time, Antenna TV had Green Acres while it was also airing on Light, for example, in my area.

[stevea]

A local channel here airs MASH, while it also airs on MeTV. Yet TAGS couldn't be on MeTV here until the new year...evidently the local channel exclusive contract expired then...now it's on both.

I guess it depends on how the contracts are written.

[biffbronson]

Same for me regarding M*A*S*H -- WHME 46 has been actually airing it in a time slot that overlaps with the MeTV showings. Sometimes I'll look over both of the episodes and choose the more interesting one.

[stevea]

WHME sounds like another LeSea station...here in Indy, it's WHMB that shows MASH. It airs 2 episodes in the 6 pm hour, just an hour before MeTV.