Troubled Syndie Market Takes Its Toll
At least five shows will depart after this season, sources say.
By Paige Albiniak -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/10/2009 9:12:00 AM
Headed into the NATPE conference and facing an incredibly challenged market, more syndicated shows are going off the air than are being launched so far this buying season.
The only two new first-run strips certain to go forward for fall 2009 are Sony’s Dr. Oz and Debmar-Mercury’s Wendy Williams, both cleared on the Fox station group. Twentieth’s Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader has only just gone to market, but it’s expected to go forward as well.
Sony’s court shows Judge David Young and Judge Karen each will end their runs after this season, according to several sources, while Sony will continue to sell “best-of” episodes of Judge Hatchett to stations for barter. Sources also expect Debmar-Mercury’s Trivial Pursuit: America Plays, averaging a 0.6 live plus same day national household rating, to go off the air. Program Partners says it has two-year deals for Family Court with Judge Penny, that its financial model makes it sustainable at a sub-1.0 national rating, and that it expects the show to return for season two.
T.D Jakes will not go forward for fall 2009, but will be held for fall 2010. Program Partners says Marie Osmond will launch this fall, but the market still considers that show a question mark.
Twentieth’s The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet and Warner Bros.’ Tyra Banks, which will move to The CW next fall, also will end their syndicated runs after this season.
That brings the total of departing first-run shows to five, and new shows to two, although the addition of Fifth Grader, Marie and Warner Bros.’ Jeanine Pirro, coming off of the CW, could bring that total to five.
In lieu of purchasing new first-run shows, for which stations lack cash in a very down advertising market, stations are expected to double- or triple-run existing shows. With ratings so low for daytime time slots, station executives say it makes sense to fill those slots with programming for which they have already paid.
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I loved Judge Karen's show. It will truly be missed.
She reminds me of a black Judge Judy. Wish this show would definitely return. I programmed each show to tape in case I could not watch the show. Her show was much better than A lot of other Judge show which are remaining on. This was a poor decision to cancel her show.
Carol Jamieson - 10/13/2009 1:45:58 PM EDT -
Goodbye Judge Karen.. it is about time they sent you the way of the dinosaur. Sassy, smart mouth sistas, with a crown of shame on their head are not attractive. Not only that but your show was soooo dry.. the only thing that wasn't dry on your show were you lips. So good luck and remember... Sponsors don't like ugly.
Namif Fila - 10/5/2009 1:52:31 PM EDT -
It is apparent Sony is messed up because loosing Mariah Carey first, then allegedly messing up the Television programs that much of the world likes to watch on TV only proves it is a dysfunctional managing company.
Timothy Leary - 8/21/2009 12:32:41 PM EDT -
Please. Judge Karen is the worst show ever. How this woman became a judge is astonding to me and forever a mystery, IMO. I'm glad she's going off the air. She needs to take a lesson or two from Judge Hatchett, Judge Milian, or even Judge Toler! And I hope someone tells her that "dirty blonde" haircolor DOES NOT fit her AT ALL!
Laura Castillo - 8/12/2009 11:33:21 AM EDT -
Judge Karen is the best courtroom show. It's a shame her show will not be renewed. She is very fair and listens to both sides (unlike "Judge" Judy). I hope they will show reruns.
Victor Fregoso - 7/30/2009 7:25:59 PM EDT
