Syndication Is Not Dead

Despite the dire predictions, the word on the street is that syndication of TV programming is not dead...yet. "As another NATPE gets under way in Las Vegas, amid the perennial reports of low attendance and sparse sales, here’s something worth remembering: Syndication isn’t dead." That is the word being spread around. "More important, both 'Wheel' and 'Oprah' generate millions upon millions of dollars in profit for the companies involved in their production and distribution. Same goes for anyone fortunate enough to have a piece of 'Entertainment Tonight' or 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' or 'Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.'”

But as alternative distribution models grow, both online and mobile, will that hurt the current syndication model or can it actually be an opportunity for more revenue? As local broadcasting is faced with declining revenue, can they afford syndicated product? WIll they need to rely on originally produced local content to differentiate themselves not only from other local broadcasters but also from the web and sites like Hulu. The article may be worrying about the next generation of syndication personalities, but they should also worry about changing distribution platforms, too.