Originally Posted by EastEnder39:
“I thought syndication played a vital part in potential renewals or cancellations. Take The Mentalist for example. Not owned CBS, so unlike shows like The Good Wife, they do not make money in off-network syndication deals. Warner Bros are the ones making the top dollar. But I am no expert.”
Yes I would have thought Syndication still matters for procedurals (which repeat on traditional television very well) like Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, SVU, Castle, NCIS. But for the likes of Grey's, Scandal and Revenge, Netflix is probably now far more important.
The ownership is also an issue, I remember ABC picking up SCRUBS for a few seasons (an ABC studios production) when NBC cancelled it but then again last year they axed both happy Endings and Body of proof. Both of which had ABC Studios involvement.
I think another reason The Good Wife survives is that unlike the rest of the shows on CBS it does well critically and generally gets a lot of award nominations which is important to some execs. Awards were the only reason Arrested Development got to a third season.
Comedy syndication is very interesting, as pointed out by TamiBeckett above some networks have been badly burnt in the syndication market in the last few years. Buying up any comedy they could get their hands on.
TBS paid a ridiculous amount for two broke girls after its first season and before its ratings on CBS took a serious fall.