The drumbeat on the first-run syndication business’ diminishing prospects has been growing louder over the past few years amid a shrinking marketplace, and now NBCUniversal has become the first major studio to rip the band-aid, leaving the space altogether. It likely won’t be the last.
The timing of the decision was likely informed by the recent announcement that NBCU’s highest-profile first-run program, The Kelly Clarkson Show, is coming to an end at the end of this season.
As part of the strategic wholesale pullout, also set to wrap original production are be the remaining NBCUniversal first-run syndicated shows: The Steve Wilkos Show and Karamo, which already have completed production on their current seasons; and Access Hollywood and Access Live, which will wind down at the end of the summer.
New episodes of The Steve Wilkos Show and Karamo will continue to air through the summer. It
...Keep reading this article on DEADLINE.
