Syndicated (Reruns) Direct to Cable

[Markxxx]

The path of most shows is to to to local TV syndication and then, if they are lucky, maybe a cable channel will pick up the show. Sometimes the shows air concurtently (Seinfeld on local and Seinfeld on TBS)

I noticed a few comedies seemed to go directly to cable. Like Ellen, Wings, and Dave's World. Correct me if any of those three are wrong.

Question is why were they not syndicated to local stations first.

Do they now get picked up for airing by local TV stations?

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Once I figured out the meaning of life....Then I forgot to write it down.</P>

 

[the_rave]

Good question, Mark. I've often wondered this myself. Technically, "Dave's World" was seen over-the-air when PAX TV first started up, although it didn't go the syndicated-to-local stations route. Another show that comes to mind is "Major Dad," which USA Network had picked up the same time as "Wings."


> The path of most shows is to to to local TV syndication and
> then, if they are lucky, maybe a cable channel will pick up
> the show. Sometimes the shows air concurtently (Seinfeld on
> local and Seinfeld on TBS)


I've asked about the duplicate local/superstation coverage (although I guess TBS technically is no longer a superstation) in light of the FCC syndex rules and have been told that a show sometimes is cleared for national coverage, thus preventing it from being blacked out with replacement programming. My question: Why do the syndex rules even apply anymore? And why is it some shows have this national carriage and others don't?