Syndie Insider

Syndication is awaiting the results of the Sept. 20 launch of Fear Factor, the first reality show to be stripped on broadcast stations. NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has cleared the show in more than 98% of the U.S., including all Fox owned-and-operated stations. The show has already debuted to strong numbers on cable's FX. Fear Factor will be double- run on nearly 50% of all stations syndicating the show. Fear Factor just started its fifth season on NBC.

Three off-net shows premiered in syndication last week: Twentieth's Malcolm in the Middle, Paramount's Girlfriends and Twentieth's Yes Dear. None had a particularly strong launch. Malcolmaveraged a 2.2 rating/4 share, down 24% from its year-ago time period (2.9/6) and 12% from average lead-in 2.5/5. Girlfriends was a 1.3/3, off 13% from its time-period average 1.5/3 and 7% from its lead-in (1.4/3). Yes, Dearaveraged a 0.7/2, 46% below its time-period average of 1.3/4 and 22% below its lead-in (0.9/2).

Marc Victor and Paul Faulhaber have joined NBC Universal's new syndicated strip, Home Delivery, as co-executive producers. Victor and Faulhaber, like executive producer Amy Rosenblum, also are co-executive producers on NBC Universal's Maury. While all three work together on both shows, Victor has day-to-day oversight of Home Delivery, while Faulhaber is overseeing Maury. "Nothing goes out without all three of us seeing it or knowing about it," says Rosenblum, who insisted her two top lieutenants work with her on Home Delivery.

Home Deliverylaunched last week with a 1.1 rating/4 share, down 31% from its time-period average (1.6/5) and 21% from its lead-in (1.4/5).

Faulhaber has been with Maury since September 1998; Victor started at the show in 1999.